
Qass. o /^f (^ / - 
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61sT Congress \ HOlTSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

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f Document 
\ No. 1507 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 
A. D. MELVIN, CwiEH OK Bureau. 



SPECIAL REPORT 



DISEASES OF CATTLE 



Drs. ATKINSON, DICKSON, HARBAUGH, HICKMAN. LAW, LOWE, 

MOHLER, MURRAY, PEARSON, RANSOM, SALMON, 

SMITH, and TRUMBOWER. 



REVISED EDITION, 1912 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1912. 



61.sr Congress 1 
3d Session / 



HOUSE OF RP^PRESENTATIVES 



f Document 

I No. 1507 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 

US BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 
A. D. MELVIN, Chief of Bureau. 



SPECIAL REPORT 



9 i^ 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Drs. ATKINSON, DICKSON, HARBAUGH, HICKMAN, LAW, LOWE, 

MOHLER, MURRAY, PEARSON, RANSOM, SALMON, 

SMITH, and TRUMBOWER. 



REVISED EDITION, 1912 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1912. 

Cc 



T1^ 



./K 



\9 



tjX ;v 






ORGANIZATION OF THE BTJREATJ OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 

Chief: A. D. Melvin. 
Assistant Chief: A. M. Farbington. 
Chief Clerk: Charles C. Carroll. 

Animal Hushandry Division: George M. Rommel, chief. 
Binrhemic Division: M. Dorset, chief. 
Dairy Division: B. H. Rawl, chief. 

Insi)eelion Division: Rice P. Steddom, chief; Morris Wooden, R. A Ramsay, 
and Albert E, Behnke, associate chiefs. 

rathologlcal Division: John R. Mohler, chief. 
Quaraniine Division: Richard W. Hickman, chief. 
Zoological Division: B. H. Ransom, chief. 
Experiment Station: E. C. Schboedeb, superintendent. 
Editor: James M. Pickens. 






^' 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



United States Department of Agriculture, 

Bureau of Animal Industry, 
Washington, D. C, Seiytember 27, 1911. 
Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the Special 
Report on Diseases of Cattle, prepared for reprinting in accordance 
with the following resolution, approved March 4, 1911 : 

Resolved iy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States 
of America in Congress assembled. That there be printed and bound in cloth 
one hundred thousand copies of the Special Report on the Diseases of Cattle, 
the same to be first revised and brought to date, under the supervision of the 
Secretary of Agriculture, seventy thousand copies for use of the House of 
Representatives and thirty thousand copies for use of the Senate. 

The original edition of this work was published in 1892, since 
which time there has been such a demand for copies that several edi- 
tions have been printed by order of Congress. It was revised in 1904 
and again in 1908. For the new edition authorized by the foregoing 
resolution it has been found necessary to make only a few slight 
changes. 

While the work is of a popular character and is intended primarily 
for the use of the farmer and the stock owner, it will doubtless also 
continue to be found useful to the student and the veterinary prac- 
titioner. 

Respectfully, A. D. Melvin, 

Chief of Bureau. 
Hon. James Wilson, 

Secretary of Agriculture. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Administratiou of medicines. By Leonard Pearson 9 

Diseases of the digestive organs. By A. J. Murray 14 

Poisons and poisoning. By V. T. Atkinson 54 

Diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and lymphatics. By Leonard Pearson. 71 
Noncontagious diseases of the organs of respiration. By William Herbert 

Lowe 86 

Diseases of the nervous system. By W. H. Harbaugh 101 

Diseases of the urinary organs. By James Law 113 

Diseases of the generative organs. By James Law 147 

Diseases following parturition. By James Law 216 

Diseases of young calves. By James Law 252 

Bones: Diseases and accidents. By V. T. Atkinson 269 

Surgical operations. By William Dickson and William Herbert Lowe . . . 295 

Tumors affecting cattle. By John R. Mohler 315 

Diseases of the skin. By M. R. Trumbower 332 

Diseases of the foot. By M. R. Trumbower 347 

Diseases of the eye and its appendages. By M. R. Trumbower 352 

Diseases of the ear. By M. R. Trumbower 367 

Infectious diseases of cattle. By D. E. Salmon and Theobald Smith 371 

The animal parasites of cattle. By B. H. Ransom 518 

Mycotic stomatitis of cattle. By John R. Mohler 542 

Index 549 

5 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PLATES. 

Page. 

Plate I. Showing the poeition of the rumen 52 

II. Stomach of ruminant 52 

III. Instruments used in treating diseases of digestive organs 52 

IV. Microscopic anatomy of the liver 52 

V. Ergot in hay 52 

VI. Ergotism 52 

VII. Diagram of the circulation 84 

VIII. Showing the position of the lung 90 

IX. Kidney and generative organs 146 

X. Microscopic anatomy of the kidney 146 

XI. Calculi of kidney and bladder 146 

XII. Fetal calf within its membranes 176 

XIII. Pregnant uterus with cotyledons 176 

XIV. Vessels of umbilical cord 176 

XV. Normal position of calf in utero 176 

XVI. Abnormal position of calf in utero 192 

XVII. Abnormal position of calf in utero 192 

XVIII. Abnormal position of calf in utero; surgical instruments and 

sutures 192 

XIX. Monstrosities 192 

XX. Instruments used in difficult labor 212 

XXI. Instruments used in difficult labor 212 

XXII. Supports for prolapsed uterus 250 

XXIII. Supports for prolapsed uterus 250 

XXIV. Instruments used in diseases following parturition 250 

XXV. Skeleton of the cow 288 

XXVI. Devices for casting cattle 314 

XXVII. Tracheotomy and venesection 314 

XXVIII. Surgical instruments and sutures 314 

XXIX. Various bacteria which produce disease in cattle 378 

XXX. Upper, or dorsal, surface of the lungs of the ox 390 

XXXI. Broncho-pneumonia 390 

XXXII. Contagious pleuro-pneumonia 390 

XXXIII. Contagious pleuro-pneumonia 390 

XXXIV. Portions of tuberculous lungs of cattle 434 

XXXV. Tuberculous liver from cow 434 

XXXVI. Tuberculous lymphatic gland 434 

XXXVII. Tuberculosis of the omentum (caul) 434 

XXXVIII. Tuberculosis of the lymphatic gland and omentum (caul) 444 

XXXIX. Fig. 1. — Tuberculosis of the sirloin and porterhouse cuts of beef. 

Fig. 2. — Tuberculosis of pleura of cow, so-called pearly disease.. 444 

XL. Tuberculous udder of cow 444 

XLI. Actinomycosis 456 

XLII. Actinomycosis of the lungs 456 

XLIII. Actinomycosis of the jaw 456 

XLIV. Section of muscle from a blackleg swelling 466 

6 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 7 

Page. 

Plate XLV. Necrotic stomatitis (calf diphtheria) 466 

XLVI. Fig. 1. — Spleen in Texas fever. Fig. 2. — Normal spleen 484 

XLVII. Texas fever 484 

XL VIII. The cattle tick (Margaropus annulatus) — the carrier of Texas 

fever 484 

XLIX. Portion of a steer's hide showing the Texas fever tick {Marga- 
ropus annulatus) of the United States 484 

L. Figs. 1 and 2. — Dorsal and ventral views of male Texas fever tick 
{Margaropus annulatus). Figs. 3 and 4. — Dorsal and ventral 

views of replete female Texas fever tick ( Margaropus annulatus) 484 

LI. Map showing district infected with Texas fever of cattle 484 

LII. Verminous bronchitis 540 

TEXT FIGURES. 

Fig. 1. Plan for freeing cattle and pastures from ticks by rotation, requiring 

four and one-half months 497 

2. Plan for freeing cattle and pastures from ticks by rotation, requiring 

eight months 499 

3. Plan for freeing cattle and pastures from ticks by rotation, requiring 

four months, with new pasture 500 

4. Plan for fi-eeing cattle and pastures from ticks by rotation, feed-lot or 

soiling method 501 

5. Pail spraying pump for small herds 503 

6. Homfly {Hxmatobia serrata) in resting position 520 

7. Hornflies {Hxmatobia serrata) on cow horn 520 

8. Buffalo gnat 521 

9. Screw worm (larva of Chrysomyia macellaria) 522 

10. Screw-worm fly ( Chrysomyia macellaria) 522 

11. The warble fly {Hypoderma lineata) 523 

12. Short-nosed blue louse {Hsematopinus eurysternus) of cattle 525 

13. Long-nosed blue louse {Hseniatopinus vituli) of cattle 525 

14. Red louse ( Trichodectes scalaris) of cattle 525 

15. Egg of short-nosed blue louse {Hsematopinv^ eurysternus) attached to a 

hair 525 

16. Mite which causes psoroptic scab of sheep 526 

17. Portion of the wall of the first stomach with conical flukes {Paramphis- 

tomum cervi) attached 530 

18. Twisted stomach worms {Hsemonchus contortus) 530 

19. Twisted stomach worms {Hsemonchus contortus) 531 

20. Embryo of twisted stomach worm {Hsemonchus contortus) coiled on tip 

of grass blade 532 

21. A drenching tube made from an ordinary tin funnel, a piece of rubber 

hose, and a piece of brass pipe 533 

22. Piece of lining of fourth stomach showing cysts of the encysted stomach 

worm {Ostertagia ostertagi) 534 

23. A tapeworm ( Moniezia planissima) which infests cattle 535 

24. The common liver fluke {Fasciola hepatica) 537 

25. The large American fluke {Fasciola magna) 537 

26. Portion of grass stalk bearing three encysted cercarise of the common 

liver fluke {Fasciola hepatica) 538 

27. Hydatids {Echinococcus granulosus) in portion of hog's liver 539 

28. Thin-necked bladder worm {Tsenia hydatigena) from abdominal cavity 

of a steer 539 

29. Section of a pork tongue heavily infested with pork measles 540 

30. Lung worms {Dictyocaulus viviparus) of cattle 541 



SPECIAL REPORT 

ON 

DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 

By Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D., 

Dean of the Veterinary Department, University of Pennsylvania, and State 

Veterinarian of Pennsylvania. 

Medicines may be administered to cattle in many ways. The chan- 
nel and method of administration depend on whether a general or 
local effect is desired, the condition of the animal, and the nature of 
the medicine that is to be given. It is the easiest method, and there- 
fore customary, to give ordinary remedies by the mouth, either with 
the food, or with drink, or separately. There are, however, some 
conditions in which medicines administered in this way will not act 
promptly enough, or Avherein a desired effect of the medicine on a 
distant part of the body is wholly lacking, unless it is applied in some 
other way. 

The various methods of administering medicines to cattle will be 
considered below. 

By the mouth. — The simplest way to give medicines by the mouth 
is to mix them with the food or water. This can be done when the 
medicine is in the form of a powder or fluid, if but a small quantity 
is to be given, if it does not have a taste that is disagreeable to the 
animal and is not so irritant as to injure the lining membranes of the 
mouth and throat. 

The usual method of administering bulky or unpalatable doses is to 
mix them with a fluid vehicle, such as water, milk, molasses, or beer, 
and give from a bottle. A dose given in this way is known as a 
'' drench.*' In administering a drench the head of the animal should 
be elevated a little by an assistant. This is best accomplished when 
standing on the left side of the cow's head and by grasping the nose 
with the thumb and fingers of the right hand inserted in the nostrils; 



10 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

with the left hand beneath the chin the head is further raised and 
supported. If the animal is unruly, it may be tied in a stall or placed 
in a stanchion. The medicine can now be poured into the mouth by 
inserting the neck of the bottle between the lips on the right side. 
Care must be taken to avoid getting the bottle between the back teeth. 
The mouth of the bottle should be inserted as far as the middle of 
the tongue and the contents poured slowly. If the cow coughs, the 
liead must at once be lowered to permit the fluid to escape from the 
larjaix. If one persists in giving medicine during coughing, some 
of the dose may pass down the windpipe to the lungs and cause a 
severe or a fatal pneumonia. This accident is especially to be 
guarded against when the throat is partly paralyzed or insensitive, 
as in parturient paresis (milk fever). In this disease it has often 
happened that drenches have been poured into the lungs, thus killing 
the cow. 

The amount of fluid to be given in a drench depends upon the effect 
that is sought and the nature of the medicine. In impactions of the 
stomach very large quantities of fluid may be given — as much as a 
gallon or several gallons at a time. Usually, however, it is not cus- 
tomary or desirable to give more than from 1 to 2 quarts at a dose, 
and not more than a pint unless it be necessary on account of the 
irritant quality of the drug that has to be shielded with a large quan- 
tity of the vehicle. 

Medicines that are soluble should be completely dissolved before 
they are given. Insoluble medicines should be finely divided by 
powdering or by shaking, and should be well agitated and mixed 
immediately before they are given. In the latter case a menstruum 
with considerable body, such as molasses or flaxseed tea or milk, will 
help to hold solids or oils in suspension until swallowed. 

Balls are large pills adapted for the larger animals. Powders or 
gums are sometimes mixed with an adhesive substance and rolled 
into balls for the purpose of convenience of administration. Balls 
are not so much used and are not so well adapted to the medication 
of cattle as of horses. The process of solution is slower in the paunch 
of a cow than in the stomach of a horse ; and if the cow is so sick as 
to have stopped ruminating, a ball may become covered up and lost 
in the mass of material in the paunch and so lie for days, producing 
no effect whatever. 

Caj)9ides are shells or envelopes made of soluble gelatin in which 
powders or liquids may be inclosed. Capsules and balls are adminis- 
tered by being placed on the tongue well back in the mouth while 
the tongue is drawn forward and the mouth is held open by a block 
of wood between the back teeth. The ball should be dropped, the 
tongue released, and the block removed as nearly simultaneously as 
possible, so that the backward carriage of the tongue will throw the 



ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 11 

ball into the throat and lead to its being swallowed. Care must be 
taken to avoid having the hand cut or crushed while introducing the 
ball. After a little experience it is possible to do away with the block 
of wood between the teeth for keeping the mouth open. 

Br THE STOMACH. — Mediciucs are introduced directly into the first 
stomach by the use of an esophageal tube or through the cannula of a 
trocar passed into the paunch through the side. This method is used 
in the treatment of diseases of digestion. 

By the rectum. — Medicines are usually administered by the rec- 
tum for the purpose of controlling the bowels and for the treatment 
of local diseases. Sometimes, however, medicines that have a gen- 
eral effect are given in this way when, for any reason, it is not possi- 
ble or convenient to give them through the mouth. Only drugs that 
are readily absorbed should be given per rectum for a general effect 
and in somewhat larger dose or more frequently than when given by 
the mouth. Such stimulants as ether, alcohol, or the aromatic spirits 
of ammonia, diluted with from four to six times their bulk of warm 
water, may be used in this way. 

Rectal injections, or enemata, are used in the treatment of consti- 
pation. If it is the purpose of the injection to soften hardened fecal 
masses, the water should be comfortably warm and it may have a 
little clean soap in it. If it is the purpose of the injection to stimu- 
late sluggish bowels to contraction, the water may be cold. 

In giving rectal injections a rectal syringe may be used, or, better, 
a piece of one-half to three-quarter inch rubber hose 5 feet long with 
a tin funnel attached to one end. The hose is soaped or oiled and 
introduced slowly and gently into the rectum 2 or 3 feet. The fluid 
is then slowly poured into the funnel and allowed to gravitate into 
the rectimi. The same apparatus may be used for feeding by the 
rectimi. 

By the vagina. — Medicines are inserted into the vagina, and 
through the vagina into the womb, in a manner similar to that of 
rectal administration. Most of the medication made use of in this 
way is for the local treatment of these organs. Following calving, 
during outbreaks of abortion, and in an infectious disease of the 
vagina, such injections become necessary. 

By the udder. — Injections into the udder are now regularly made 
in the treatment of parturient paresis (milk fever). For this pur- 
pose a 1 per cent solution of iodid of potash is commonly employed, 
although some other solutions and oxygen gas are also used. In mak- 
ing this injection there are so many precautions necessary in relation 
to the sterilization of the apparatus and the teats and skin that this 
work should be left in the hands of a skilled veterinarian. The result 
of the introduction of even a minute quantity of infectious dirt may 
be the loss of the udder. For making this injection one may use one 



12 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

of the prepared sets of apparatus or a milking tube and funnel con- 
nected by a piece of small rubber hose. The apparatus should be 
boiled and wrapped in a clean towel until needed. The udder and 
teats and the hands of the operator must be well disinfected, and 
the solution must be freshly made with recently boiled water kept 
in a sterile bottle. The udder should be emptied of milk before the 
injection is made. After all these precautions have been observed 
the milking tube may be inserted and through it one-half pint of solu- 
tion introduced by gravity air pressure or by syringe. There is prac- 
tically no danger in this mode of treatment if it is properly carried 
out. 

Injections into the udder are sometimes made in the treatment of 
garget, but so far Avith indifferent success. 

By the nostrils. — An animal may be caused to inhale medicine 
in the form of gas or vapor or to snuff up a fine powder. Sometimes, 
for the purpose of local treatment, fluids are injected into the nose. 

A medicine inhaled may have a local effect alone or a general effect. 

Medicated steam, carrying the volatile products of creolin, carbolic 
acid, balsam of Peru, compound tincture of benzoin, tincture of 
iodin, etc., may be liberated beneath the nostrils of a cow so that 
she must inhale these soothing vapors; but such treatment is not so 
common for cattle as for horses. In producing general anesthesia, 
or insensibility to pain, the vapor of chloroform or ether is adminis- 
tered by the nostrils. As a preliminary to this it is necessary to cast 
and confine the animal. Great care is necessary to avoid complete 
stoppage of the heart or breathing. 

By the trachea. — Medicines are injected into the trachea, or wind- 
pipe, in the treatment of home forms of diseases of the lungs, and 
especially in that form of bronchitis or pneumonia that is caused by 
lungAvorms. For this injection a large hypodermic syringe is used 
that is fitted with a veiy thick, strong needle. The needle is to be 
inserted about the middle of the neck and between the cartilaginous 
rings of the trachea. 

By the skin. — Although a number of drugs, notably mercury, are 
so readily absorbed by the skin of cattle as to render poisoning easy, 
medicines are not given in this way for their general or constitutional 
but only for their local effect. 

Diseases of the skin and superficial parasites are treated or de- 
stroyed by applications in the forms of washes, ointments, dips, and 
powders. Liniments and lotions are applied to the skin for the relief 
of some near-lying part, such as a muscle, tendon, or joint. Blisters 
are applied to the skin for the purpose of obtaining the effect of 
counterirritation upon a neighboring region or organ. Cold water 
may be applied to the skin to reduce the temperature and to diminish 
congestion or inflammation in a superficial area or to reduce the 



ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 13 

temperature of the whole body. High fever and heat strokes are 
treated in this way. 

By THE TISSUE BENEATH THE SKIN. — Hypodemiic or subcutaneous 
injections are often made for the purpose of introducing a drug, 
reagent, or vaccine directly into the connecting tissue beneath the 
skin. Introduced in this way, the substance is quickly absorbed, 
none of. it is lost, and its whole effect is obtained, often within a few 
minutes. 

There are numerous precautions necessary in making a subcutane- 
ous injection, most of which have to do with cleansing and steriliza- 
tion. It is also important to select a proper site for the injection, so 
that blood vessels, joints, and superficial nerves, organs, or cavities 
may all be avoided. With due regard for the necessary precautions, 
there is practically no danger in such an injection, but it should be 
attempted only by those who are able to carry it through in a surgi- 
cally clean way. Only certain drugs can be given subcutaneously, 
and dosage must be accurately graduated. 

By the veins. — Certain medicines act most promptly and surely 
when introduced directly into the blood by injecting them into a vein. 
The jugidar vein is usually selected for this purpose. Some vaccines 
and antitoxins are administered in this way. Intravenous injection 
should be practiced only by experienced veterinarians. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OEGANS. 

By A. J. Murray, M. R. C. V. S. 

[Revised in 1904 by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D., and in 1908 by R. W. Hickman, 

V. M. D.] 

CHARACTER OF FEEDS AND FEEDING. 

Diseases of the digestive organs are very common among cattle, and 
may often be traced to defects in feeding. The first three stomachs 
of the larger ruminants hold the feed for a long time, during which 
period it is subjected to macerating, mixing, and straining processes 
in preparation for entrance into the fourth or true stomach. The 
straining is accomplished through the medium of the manyplies or 
book, while the paunch, with its adjunct, the waterbag, is concerned 
in the macerating, kneading, and mixing, as well as in regurgitation 
for rumination, or the chewing of the cud. The action of the three 
first stomachs is merely preparatory to digestion. Thus it would 
seem that as a result of their complex anatomical and functional 
arrangement, the feed of the ox, when of good quality and whole- 
some, is in the most favorable condition possible for the digestive 
process when it reaches the fourth stomach. It is in the fourth 
stomach that true digestion first takes place. If the feed is of im- 
proper character, or is so given that it can not be cared for by the 
animal in a normal way, false fermentations arise, causing indiges- 
tion, and possibly, later, organic disease. In feeding cattle there are 
a number of important considerations apart from the economy of the 
ration, and some of these are noted below. 

Feeds must not be damaged by exposure to the weather, by frost, 
by molds, or by deleterious fermentations. 

Damaged feeds retard or prevent digestion, and sometimes they 
contain or cause to be generated substances that irritate the digestive 
tract or are distinctly poisonous to the animal. For example, hay 
that was rained on severely during curing has not only lost a part of 
its nutritive value through a washing-out process, but what remains 
is not so readily available as in good hay. Roots that have been 
frozen are likely to irritate and injure the digestive tract. Grass 
eaten with the frost on it may cause severe indigestion. Moldy feeds 
are not all injurious, for some molds appear to have no influence on 
the process of digestion, but molds of other species may not only 
14 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 15 

retard digestion and cause local injury to the digestive organs, but 
they may also cause general poisoning of a severe or fatal type. 

The following molds have been shown (Dammann) to be dangerous 
in respect of the production of the morbid conditions enumerated : 

Tilletia caries grows chiefly in wheat, and may be found with the 
grain thus appearing in the bran or meal. It causes paralysis of the 
throat and spinal cord and irritation of the digestive tract. The 
rusts, such as Puccinia graminis, P. strandnis^ P. coronata, and P. 
anouJinacea^ cause colic and diarrhea, and in some cases partial 
paralysis of the throat. The rusts that occur on clovers, beans, and 
peas cause very severe irritation of the lining membrane of the mouth 
and throat, resulting sometimes in gangrene of this tissue. 

Polydesmus exitans grows on the leaves of rape and turnips, 
appearing in early summer. This fungus is very irritating to the 
mouths and feet of cattle, causing severe inflammation and the for- 
mation of a false membrane. In some instances this condition has 
been mistaken for foot-and-mouth disease, but it can be differentiated 
by the absence of the blister that is characteristic of foot-and-mouth 
disease and by the further fact that it is nontransmissible. 

Polytrincium trifoUi^ which grows on clover, causing it to become 
black, causes severe irritation of the stomach and intestines of cattle 
feeding upon it. 

Feeds must not contain too large a proportion of woody fiber or 
indigestible substances. If the dry matter ingested or the bulk of 
the feed be very great on account of the small proportion of digesti- 
ble matter, it is impossible for the great mass to be properly mois- 
tened with and attacked by the digestive juicas. In consequence of 
this, abnormal fermentations arise that cause indigestion and irrita- 
tion of the digestive organs. On the other hand, a ration too con- 
centrated, and especially too rich in protein, is not suitable, because 
the animal must have, after a meal, a certain feeling of fullness in 
order to be comfortable and quiet, and the digestive organs require a 
relatively large volume of contents to fill them to the point where 
secretion is properly stimulated and their activity is most efficient. 
If too much protein is in the ration there is a waste? of exj^ensive feed, 
and the tendency is for the animal to l>ecome thin. It is evident that 
a cow can not thrive on concentrated feeds alone, even though these 
contain in assimilable forai all of the nutritive materials needed for 
perfect support. It is because bulk is necessary that the standard of 
about 25 pounds of dry matter per cow per day has been reached by 
experimentalists. There is no objection to feeding grain or meal 
separately to a cow, provided enough bulky feed be fed at another 
time in the day to keep the digestive tract sufficiently distended. 

In changing the ration, and especially in making radical changes, 
as at the beginning and end of the pasturing season, the change 



16 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

should be made gradually, so that the digestive organs may accom- 
modate themselves to it. After the digestive organs and juices have 
from long practice become adjusted to the digestion of a certain feed, 
which is then suddenly withheld and another of quite different char- 
acter and properties is substituted, the second feed is not well di- 
gested ; it may even irritate the digestive canal. It is often observed 
that cattle lose from 25 to 100 pounds when turned onto pasture from 
dry stable feed. This loss can readily be prevented by avoiding the 
shock to the digestive organs of a sudden change of diet. 

Regularity in feeding has much to do with the utilization of the 
ration, and gross irregularit}'^ may cause indigestion and serious 
disease. 

Water for live stock should be as free from contamination and as 
pure as that used for household purposes. In the winter when prac- 
ticable it is well to warm the water to about 50° F. It is well to allow 
cattle to drink often. 

DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 
WOUNDS AND CONTUSIONS OF THE LIPS, AND SNAKE BITE. 

The lips may become inflamed from contusions, which are some- 
times produced by a blow from the horns of another animal, or, in the 
case of working oxen, by a blow from the driA^er. AMiile cattle are 
grazing they may be bitten in the lips by either insects or serpents, 
more especially when they are pastured in woods. 

Symptoms. — As a result of a contusion the lips become thick and 
swollen, and if treatment is neglected the swelling may become hard 
and indurated, or an abscess may form. This condition renders it 
difficult for the animal to get food into its mouth, on account of the 
lips having lost their natural flexibility. In such cases an ox Avill use 
his tongue more in the prehension of food to make up for the inca- 
pacity of the lips. In cases of snake bite the swelling is soft or puffy 
and its limits are not well defined. 

Treatment. — When we have to deal with a bruise, the affected part 
should be bathed with hot water two or three times daily. In recent 
cases no other treatment will be required, but if the swelling is not 
recent and has become hard or indurated, then the swollen part 
should be treated each day by painting it with tincture of iodin. In 
snake bite a straight incision penetrating into the flesh or muscle 
should be made across the center of the swelling and in the direction 
of the long axis of the face. After this has been done a small wad of 
cotton batting should be pressed against the wounds until the bleed- 
ing has almost stopped. Afterwards the following lotion may be 
applied to the wounds several times a day : Permanganate of potash, 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 17 

half a dram ; distilled water, 1 pint. As snake bites are usually 
attended with considerable depression, which may terminate in stu- 
por, it is advisable to give doses of whisky at intervals. Half a pint 
of whisky mixed with a pint of water should be given, and the dose 
should be repeated in half an hour if the animal is sinking into a 
stupefied and unconscious condition. The repetition of the dose 
must depend on the symptoms which the animal shows. It must be 
borne in mind that the object of treatment is to ward off the stupor, 
which is one of the results of snake bite, and that in administering 
whisky the object is to produce a stimulating and not an intoxicating 
or stupefying effect. The swelling from an insect bite should be 
bathed as soon as noticed with ammonia water and then treated with 
frequent applications of hot water. 

SALIVATION. 

Salivation is a symptom of some general or local disorder. It may 
be a symptom of a general disease, such as rabies or the foot-and- 
mouth disease, or it may be a purely local trouble, as when copious 
secretion of the salivary glands is produced by the eating of irritat- 
ing plants, such as wild mustard. In cases where saliva is observed 
to dribble from the mouth, that part must be carefully examined by 
introducing an instrument like a balling iron into the mouth, or, if 
such an instrument is not at hand, by grasping the tongue and par- 
tially withdrawing it from the mouth, and by placing a block of 
wood between the back teeth, while all parts of the mouth are exposed 
to a good light, so that the presence of any foreign substance may be 
detected. The cause will sometimes be found to depend on a short 
piece of wood becoming fixed on the palate, its two ends resting on 
the upper molar teeth of each side; or it may depend on a needle, 
thorn, or splinter of wood becoming embedded in the tongue. Some- 
times a sharp piece of tin or other metal may become partially em- 
bedded in the inner surface of the cheek. Hay occasionally possesses 
some quality, usually dependent upon its having heated in the mow 
or having become moldy, which produces salivation. Second-crop 
clover and some irritant weeds in the pasture or forage may cause 
salivation. Cattle rubbed with mercurial ointment may in licking 
themselves swallow enough mercury to bring about the same result. 
(See "Mercury poisoning," p. 60.) Such cases, of course, arise from 
the constitutional action of mercury, and indicate the danger of using 
such a preparation externally on account of the common habit which 
the animals have of licking themselves. Mercury is also readily 
absorbed through the skin, and, as cattle are very susceptible to its 
action, it is thus easy for them to be poisoned by it even without lick- 
ing it from the surface. 
16923"— 12 2 



18 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Treatment. — If salivation depends on the irritation and inflamma- 
tion set up by the ingestion of acrid plants, or forage possessing some 
peculiar stimulating property, the food must be changed and a lotion 
composed of an ounce of powdered alum dissolved in a quart of water 
may be syringed into the mouth twice a day, using half a pint of the 
solution each time. If, however, the salivation depends on the 
presence of a thorn, splinter of wood, or any other foreign substance 
embedded in the cheek or tongue, remove the offending object and 
wash the mouth occasionally with a weak solution (2 per cent) of car- 
bolic acid and tepid water. When salivation is produced by mercu- 
rial poisoning or by the foot-and-mouth disease, the treatment appro- 
priate to those general conditions of the system, as well as the local 
<^reatment, must be applied. 

IRREGULARITIES OF THE TEETH. 

Irregularities of the teeth may be occasioned by the unequal wear- 
ing of some of the teeth or by some of the incisors being broken, which 
may happen when cattle are pastured on sandy or gravelly soil. The 
molar teeth may also show irregular wear from similar causes, or 
from a disease or malformation of the jaw. Their edges may become 
sharp, or it may happen that a molar tooth has been accidentally 
f actured. It may also occur that, a supernumerary tooth has devel- 
oped in an unusual position, and that it interferes with the natural 
and regular mastication of the food. 

Treatment. — The mouth may be examined by grasping the animal's 
tongue with one hand and partially withdrawing it from the mouth, 
so as to expose the incisor and molar teeth to inspection. When it 
is desired, however, to examine the molar teeth with the fingers, so as 
to obtain a more precise idea of their condition, an instrument like 
the balling iron which is used for the horse should be introduced into 
the mouth, so as to separate the jaws and keep them apart while the 
examination is being made. Any sharp edges of the molars must be 
removed by the tooth rasp, such as is used for horses. Any super- 
numerary tooth which interferes with mastication or any tooth which 
is fractured or loose should be extracted. In performing such oper- 
ations it is desirable to throw, or cast, the animal, and to have its 
head held securely, so as to enable the operator to do what is neces- 
sary without difficulty. 

CARIES OR DECAY OF THE TEETH. 

The presence of caries may be suspected if the mouth exhales a bad 
odor and if the animal occasionally stops during mastication as if it 
were in pain. The existence of caries in a molar tooth may be ascer- 
tained by examining the mouth in the manner already described. If 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 19 

one of the molai-s is found to be carious, it should be extracted. 
When the crown of the tooth has been destroyed and only the stump 
or root is left, extraction will be impracticable. In such cases it is 
best to sell the animal to the butcher unless it have special value, in 
which case the root stunips may be removed by a veterinarian by the 
operation of trephining. 

ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THE JAWBONES (BIG JAW OR LUMPY JAW). 

[See Actinomycosis, p. 447.] 

INFLAMMATION OF MUCOUS MEMBRANE OF MOUTH (STOMATITIS.) 

The membrane of the mouth may become inflamed by cattle eating 
some irritating substance or plant, or little vesicles may form in the 
mouths of calves when thev are affected with indigestion, constitu- 
ting what is termed aphtha. 

Symptoms. — The saliva dribbles from the mouth, and when the 
mouth is examined the surface of the tongue and other parts will 
appear red and inflamed. When young animals are affected with 
the form of disease termed aphtha, small red elevations will be ob- 
served on the tongue and other parts of the mouth, having little 
white points on their centers, which consists of the epithelium of the 
mucous membrane raised into vesicles. These white patches are suc- 
ceeded by ulcerated surfacCvS^ which are caused by the shedding of 
the white patches of epithelium. 

Treatment. — ^When there is merely a reddened and inflamed con- 
dition of the mucous membrane of the mouth, it will suffice to syringe 
it out several times a day with 4 ounces of the following solution: 
Alum, 1 ounce; water, 2 pints. When the edges of the tongue and 
other parts of the mouth are studded with ulcers, these should be 
painted over once a day, until the affected surface is healed, with the 
following solution; Permanganate of potash, 20 grains; water, 1 
ounce. When indigestion is associated with an ulcerated condition 
of the mouth, separate treatment is required. 

ULCERATIVE STOMATITIS (OR ULCERS IN THE MOUTHS OF YOUNG CALVES). 

[See Necrotic stomatitis, p. 470.] 

INDURATION OF THE TONGUE (ACTINOMYCOSIS). 

[See Actinomycosis, p. 447.] 

DISEASES OF THE PHARYNX AND GULLET. 

PHARYNGITIS ( SORE THROAT). 

This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the 
pharynx. It is frequently associated with inflammatory diseases of 
the respiratory tract, such as laryngitis and bronchitis or pleurisy. 



20 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Symptoms. — The muzzle is dry and the saliva dribbles from the 
comers of the mouth ; the animal either does not swallow or swallows 
with difficulty, and holds its neck in a. stiff, straight position, moving 
it as little as possible. The eyelids are half closed, the white of the 
eye is bloodshot, and the animal occasionally grinds its teeth. After 
masticating the food the animal drops it out of its mouth as if to 
avoid the pain of swallowing, and also evinces pain when pressure is 
applied on the pharynx externally and tries to prevent such pressure 
being applied. 

Causes. — Pharyngitis may be produced by a sudden cooling of the 
surface of the body, as when cattle are exposed to a cold wind or a 
cold rain ; or by swallowing irritant substances. 

Treatment. — The throat should be syringed three times a day with 
an ounce of the following solution : Nitrate of silver, 1| drams ; dis- 
tilled water, 1 pint. Bland and soothing drinks, such as linseed tea 
or oatmeal and water, should occasionally be offered. Diet should 
consist of soft food, such as bran mashes with a little linseed meal 
mixed in them. Dry hay and fodder should be avoided. Fresh 
green grass or sound ensilage may be fed in small quantities. The 
upper part of the tliroat and the space between the jaws should be 
well rubbed once a day with the following liniment: Liquor am- 
monia fomor, 4 ounces; oil of turpentine, 4 ounces; olive oil, 4 
ounces; mix. When evidence of blistering appears the application 
of the liniment should be stopped and the skin anointed with vase- 
lin. Under the above treatment the inflammation of the throat will 
gradually subside and the animal will be able to swallow as usual in 
five or six days. We need hardly say that during its treatment the 
sick animal should be kept in a comfortable stable. 

PAROTITIS. 

Inflammation of the parotid gland may arise from the inflamma- 
tion extending to it when an ox is affected with pharyngitis or laryn- 
gitis, or the inflammation may commence in the salivary ducts and 
may depend on some influence the nature of which is unknown. 
Parotitis sometimes arises from a bloAV or contusion which is severe 
enough to set up inflammation in the structure of the gland. Tuber- 
culosis and actinomycosis may infrequently be characterized by the 
lodgment of their parasitic causes in the parotid glands, in which 
case parotitis may be a symptom of either of these diseases. 

Symptoms. — There is an elongated painful swelling, beginning at 
the base of the ear and passing downward along the posterior margin 
of the lower jaw. The swelling is sometimes limited to one side, and 
when both sides are swollen it is generally larger on one side than on 
the other. The secretion of saliva is increased, the appetite is poor, 
tjie neck is stiff, so that it is painful to raise the head, and food is 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 21 

swallowed with difficulty. In many cases the swelling of thoi-e 
glands, when submitted to proper treatment, disappears in a com- 
paratively short time. In other cases, however, the gland remains 
enlarged, even after the animal recovers its appetite. In tuberculosis, 
lymphatic glands beneath the parotid glands are sometimes enlarged, 
thus causing the appearance of enlarged parotid glands. 

Treatm-ent. — A warm bran poultice, made by mixing bran with a 
hot 2 per cent solution of creolin in water, should be applied on the 
swollen gland, maintained in place by means of a bandage. "NAHien- 
ever the poultice has cooled it should be replaced by a ncAv one. 
This treatment should be continued until ih^ pain is less and the 
swelling is reduced or until there is evidence of pus fonnation, which 
may be ascertained by examining the surface of the gland with the 
fingers ; and when, on pressing any part of the surface, it is found to 
fluctuate or " give," then we may conclude that there is at that place 
a collection of pus. It is well not to open the abscess until tho 
fluctuation is Avell marked, as at this stage the pus or matter is near 
the surface and there is less trouble in healing the wound than if the 
pus is deep seated. The abscess should be opened with a clean, sharp 
knife. The poultieing should then be continued for two or three 
days, but the form of the poultice should be changed, by replacing 
the bran with absorbent cotton and pouring the creolin solution on 
the cotton. At all times the wound should be kept clean and the 
cavity injected once or twice daily with a solution of 1 dram of car- 
bolic acid m 8 ounces of water. Under this treatment the pus may 
cease and the wound heal without complications. Saliva may issue 
from the orifice and result in the formation of a salivary fistula. 
This requires operative treatment, which should be performed by a 
qualified veterinarian. AATien poulticing fails to reduce the swelling 
or produce softening, the inflamed area may be rubbed once daily 
with camphorated oil. compound iodin ointment, or painted twice 
daily with Lugol's solution of iodin. The diet should be as recom- 
mended under Pharyngitis (p. 20). 

PHARYNGEAL POLYPI. 

Tumors form not infrequently in the pharynx, and may give rise to 
a train of symptoms varying according to their size and location. 
The tumor may be so situated that by shifting its position a little it 
may partially obstruct the posterior nares (nostrils), when, of course, 
it will render nasal breathing very noisy and labored. In another 
situation its partial displacement may impede the entrance of air into 
the larjmx. In almost any part of the pharynx, but especially near 
the entrance of the gullet, they will interfere with the act of swal- 
lowing. As these tumors are frequently attached to the wall of the 
pharynx by a pedicel, or stalk, it will be seen that they may readily 



22 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

be displaced in different directions so as to produce the sj^mptoms 
before described. Enlarged postpharyngeal lymphatic glands are 
not rare in tuberculosis and by pressing upon the wall of the pharynx 
and restricting the lumen of this organ they cause difficulty in both 
breathing and swallowing. Such enlarged glands may be differ- 
entiated from tumors by passing the hand into the cow's throat after 
the jaws are separated by a suitable speculum or gag. 

Treatment. — The method of treatment followed in such cases is to 
separate the animal's jaws with an instrument termed a gag, and then, 
after drawing the tongue partially forward, to pass the hand into the 
pharynx and to gently twist the tumor from its attachment. One 
veterinarian who has had considerable practice in treating this form 
of disease scrapes through the attachment of the tumor gradually 
with his thumb nail. In cases where the attachment is too strong to 
be severed in this way an instrument like a thimble, but possessing 
a sharp edge at the end, might be used to effect the same purpose, or 
the base of the tumor may be severed by the use of a crushing instru- 
ment known as an ecraseur. 

CHOKING. 

This accident usually happens from attemptihg to swallow too 
large an object, such as a turnip, potato, beet, or an apple or pear, 
though in rare cases choking may occur from bran, chaff, or some 
other finely divided food lodging in and filling up a portion of the 
gullet. This latter form of the accident is most likely to occur in 
animals which are greedy feeders. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms will vary somewhat according to the 
part of the gullet or throat in which the obstruction is located. In 
most cases there is a discharge of saliva from the mouth ; the animal 
coughs frequently, and when it drinks the water is soon ejected. The 
cow stops eating and stands back from the trough, the expression is 
troubled, breathing is accelerated, and oftentimes the animal bloats 
as a result of the retention of gas in the paunch. These symptoms, 
however, are not always present, for if the obstacle does not com- 
pletely close the throat, or gullet, gas and water may pass, thus amel- 
iorating the discomfort. If the obstruction is in the neck portion of 
the gullet, it may be felt as a lump in the left jugular gutter. 

TreatTnent. — If the object is in the throat, it is advisable to put a 
gag in the animal's mouth, and, while the head is held in a horizontal 
direction by two assistants, to pass the hand into the pharynx, grasp 
the foreign body, and withdraw it gradually and steadily. When the 
substance is lodged in the upper part of the gullet, pressure should 
be made by an assistant in an upward direction against the object 
while the operator passes his hand into the pharynx, and if the assist- 
ant can not by pressure dislodge the substance from the gullet, the 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 23 

operator may by passing his middle finger above and partly behind 
the substance gradually slide the object into the pharynx and then 
withdraw it by the mouth. The presence of an obstructing substance 
in the cervical portion of the gullet may be ascertained by passing the 
hand along the left side of the neck, when a hard and painless swell- 
ing will be found to indicate the presence of the foreign body. In 
such cases we must endeavor by gentle and persevering pressure with 
the thumb and two next fingers to slide the obstructing substance 
gradually upward to the pharynx. To facilitate this it is well to give 
the animal a half pint of raw linseed or olive oil before the manipu- 
lations described are commenced. When the substance has been 
brought into or nearly into the pharynx, then the mouth gag should 
be used, the tongue drawn partially forward with the left hand, and 
the right should be passed backward into the pharynx to withdraw 
the obstruction. "\¥hen bran or chaff causes the trouble it is best to 
give a small quantity of oil to lubricate the walls of the gullet and 
then by gentle and persevering pressure to endeavor to separate and 
divide the mass and to work it downward toward the stomach. This 
will be assisted by pouring small quantities of oil and water down the 
animal's throat. It is not advisable to use the probang to push down 
any soft material, such as oats or chaff, as this generally condenses 
and renders firmer the obstructing substance by pressing its particles 
or elements together, so that it forms a solid, resisting mass which can 
not be moved. 

In some cases, either because located in the chest portion of the 
esophagus, and so beyond reach, or because too firmly seated, the 
foreign body can not be dislodged from the neck by pressing and 
manipulating that part externally. In such an event we must resort 
to the use of the probang. (PI. Ill, figs. 2 and 3.) A probang is a 
flexible instrument, and adapts itself to the natural curvature of the 
gullet, so that if it is used cautiously there is not much risk of injury. 
Before passing the probang, a gag which has an aj)erture at each 
end, from which straps pass to be buckled at the back of the head 
below the horns, is introduced into the mouth. (PI. Ill, fig. 4.) The 
probang should then be oiled, and, the head and neck being held in a 
straight line by two assistants, the tongue must be partly drawn out 
of the mouth, the probang cautiously passed along the roof of the 
mouth into the pharynx and thence into the gullet, through which it 
is passed down. If resistance is met, gentle and continuous pressure 
must be employed, under the influence of which the agent will gener- 
ally in a short time pass into the stomach. One must be careful not 
to pass the probang into the larynx and thence into the windpipe of 
the cow. An animal may readily be killed in this way. This accident 
is indicated by efforts to cough and by violently disturbed breathing. 
If such symptoms arise the probang must be withdrawn at once. To 



24 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

avoid a wrong passage, the end of the tube should be pressed through 
the throat very slowly until its presence in the esophagus is assured. 
After it is once in the esophagus care is still necessary, because the 
walls of this tube may easily be torn. 

Some writei^ have advised that when the obstruction is lodged in 
the cervical (neck) portion of the gullet it should bo struck with a 
mallet, so as to crush it and thus alter its shape, so that it may easily 
slip down into the stomach. If the obstructing substance is hard, 
this will be a dangerous operation, but if soft — as in case of a ripe 
pear, for example — this proceeding may be safely adopted. 

In all cases where pressure applied on the neck fails to move the 
obstruction and the probang also fails to move it, it may be divided 
by a subcutaneous operation or the gullet may be opened and the 
obstructijig substance removed through the wound. In such cases 
the assistance of a veterinarian or a surgeon must be obtained. 

WOUNDS AND INJURIES OF THE GULLET. 

Sometimes from the rash and too forcible use of the probang the 
walls of the gullet may be more or less lacerated or abraded, and the 
animal consequently swallows with pain and difficulty. In such cases 
dry feed must be withheld for five or six days, so as to allow the 
injured parts to heal, and the diet must be limited to linseed tea, hay 
tea, and thin oatmeal gruel and molasses. The same kind of diet 
must be fed after the operation of cutting into the gullet has been 
performed. 

Sometimes the gullet is ruptured and lacerated to such an extent 
that treatment of any kind is hopeless. This has been known to occur 
when the handle of a pitchfork or a buggy whip has been pushed 
down a cow's throat to remove an obstruction. Where such treat- 
ment has been applied it is best to slaughter the animal without delay, 
as the flesh may be utilized so long as there is no fever or general dis- 
ease, and remedial treatment would be hopeless. In this connection 
it may be mentioned that whatever substitute may be used for a pro- 
bang, which sometimes is not at hand, it should be flexible and should 
possess a smooth surface. A piece of new rope, with the end closely 
wrapped and waxed and then oiled, or a pieee of thin garden hose, or 
a well-wrapped twisted wire may be used in emergencies. 

DISEASES or THE S1X)MACH. 
ACUTE TYMPANITES (HOVEN, OR BLOATING). 

This disease is characterized by swelling of the left flank, and is 
caused by the formation of gas in the rumen, or paunch. ( See Pis. 
I and II.) 

Causes. — Tympanites may be caused by any kind of food which 
produces indigestion. ^ATien cattle are first turned into young clover 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 25 

they eat so greedily of it that tympanites frequently results ; turnips, 
potatoes, and cabbage may also cause it; middlings and corn meal 
also frequently give rise to it. In this connection it may be stated 
that an excessive quantity of any of the before-mentioned foods may 
bring on this disorder, or it may not be due to excess, but to eating 
too hastily. Sometimes the quality of the food is at fault. Grass or 
clover when wet by dew or rain frequently disorders digestion and 
brings on tympanites; frozen roots or pastures covered with hoar 
frost should also be i-egarded as dangerous. When food has been 
eaten too hastily, or when it is cold and wet, the digestive process is 
imperfectly performed, and the food contained in the paunch fer- 
ments, during which process large quantities of gas are formed. The 
same result may follow when a cow is choked, as the obstruction in 
the gullet prevents the eructation or passing up of gas from the stom- 
ach, so that the gas continues to accumulate until typmanites results. 
Syrri'ptoins. — The swelling of the left flank is very characteristic, as 
in well-marked cases the flank at its upper. part rises above the level 
of the backbone and when struck with the tips of the fingers emits a 
drum-like sound. The animal has an anxious expression, moves 
uneasily, and is evidently distressed. If relief is not obtained in time, 
it breathes with difficulty, reels in walking or in standing, and in a 
short time falls down and dies from suffocation. The distension of 
the stomach may become so great that it pushes the diaphragm for- 
ward against the lungs so as to squeeze and stop their movement, thus 
preventing the animal from breathing, and in some instances the 
case may be complicated by rupture of the stomach. 

Treatment. — If the case is not extreme, it may be suflScient to drive 
the animal at a walk for a quarter or half an hour; or cold water by 
the bucketful may be thrown against the cow's sides. In some cases 
the following simple treatment is successful: A rope or a twisted 
straw band is coated with pine tar, wagon grease, or other unsavory 
substance, and is placed in the cow's mouth as a bit, being secured 
by tying behind the horns. The efforts of the animal to dislodge this 
object result in movements of the tongue, jaws, and throat that stim- 
ulate the secretion of saliva and swallowing, thus opening the esoph- 
agus, which permits the exit of gas, and at the same time peristalsis 
is stimulated reflexly. In urgent cases the gas must be allowed to 
escape without delay,, and this is best accomplished by the use of the 
trocar. The trocar is a sharp-pointed instrument incased in a sheath, 
which leaves the sharp point of the trocar free. (See PI. Ill, figs. 5« 
and 5&.) In selecting the point for using the trocar, a spot on the 
left side equally distant from the last rib. the hip bone, and the trans- 
verse processes of the lumbar vertebrae must be chosen. Here an 
incision about three-fourths of an inch long should be made with a 
knife through the skin, and then the sharp point of the trocar, being 



26 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

directed downward, inward, and slightly forward, is thrust into the 
paunch. (PI. I.) The sheath of the trocar should be left in the 
paunch so long as any gas continues to issue from it. If the cannula 
or sheath of the trocar is removed while gas is still forming in the 
paunch and the left flank becomes considerably swollen, it may be 
necessary to insert it again. It is well, accordingly, to observe the 
cannulaclosely, and, if gasisfound to be issuing from it, it should not 
be removed. When gas issues from the cannula in considerable quan- 
tity the sound accompanying its escape renders the exact condition 
obvious. It is occasionally necessary to keep the cannula in the stom- 
ach for several hours. Wlien this is necessary, a piece of stout cord 
should be passed round the neck of the cannula immediately below the 
l^rojecting rim and then be passed round the animal's body and tied 
in a secure knot, and a careful attendant must remain with the cow 
during the entire period that the instrument is in place. The rim 
surrounding the mouth of the cannula should be in contact with the 
skin. Wlienever the person in charge of the cow is satisfied that gas has 
ceased to issue from the cannula, the instrument should be removed. 
The cannula is to be employed only in extreme or urgent cases, 
though everyone who has had experience in treating indigestion in 
cattle will realize that he has saved the lives of many animals by its 
prompt application. When the tympanitic animal is not distressed 
and the swelling of the flank is not great, or when the most distress- 
ing condition has been removed by the use of the trocar, it is best to 
resort to the administration of internal medicine. Two ounces of 
iiromatic spirits of ammonia should be given every half hour in a 
quart of cold wat^r, or half an ounce of chlorid of lime may be dis- 
solved in a pint of tepid water and the dose repeated every half hour 
until the bloating has subsided, or 1 ounce of creolin in 2 quarts of 
tepid water may be given at one dose or carefully injected through 
the cannula directly into the paunch to inhibit fermentation and the 
recurrent formation of gas. It is generally necessary to give a dose 
of purgative medicine after bloating has subsided, as animals fre- 
quently show symptoms of constipation after attacks of indigestion. 
For this purpose 1 or 1^ pounds of Glauber's salt may be used. 

CHRONIC TYMPANITES. 

Cattle, especially those which have been kept in the stable all 
winter, are liable to suffer from chronic tympanites. In this form 
the animal bloats up after feeding, but seldom swells so much as to 
cause any alarm. The chronic form of indigestion may also follow 
an acute attack like that previously described. This is also a symp- 
tom of tuberculosis in those cases in which the lymphatic glands 
lying between the lungs are so enlarged as to press upon and partly 
occlude the esophagus. 



I 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 27 

Treatment. — Treatment should be preceded by a moderate dose of 
purgative medicine: 1 pound of sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt) 
or sulphate of soda (Glauber's salt), half an ounce of powdered 
Barbados aloes, 1 ounce of powdered ginger, 1 pint of molasses. 
The salts and aloes should be dissolved by stirring for a few minutes 
in 2 quarts of lukewarm water, then the molasses should be added, 
and after all the ingredients have been stirred together for about 
10 minutes the dose should be administered. It will generally be 
necessary after the operation of the purgative to give some tonic 
and antacid preparation to promote digestion, which is imperfectly 
l^erformed in such cases. The following may be used: Powdered 
gentian, 3 ounces; powdered bicarbonate of potash, 3 ounces; pow- 
dered ginger, 3 ounces; powdered capsicum, 1 ounce. Mix and 
divide into 12 powders, one of which should be given three times a 
day before feeding, shaken up with half a pint of whisky and a pint 
of w^ater. It is also advantageous in such cases to give two heaped 
teaspoonfuls of wood charcoal, mixed with the animal's feed three 
times a day. The animal should also go out during the day, as want 
of exercise favors the continuance of this form of indigestion. If 
the dung is hard, the constipation should be overcome by feeding a 
little flaxseed twice daily or by giving a handful of Glauber's salt 
in the feed once or twice daily, as may be necessary. Roots, silage, 
and other succulent feeds are useful in this connection. If tuber- 
culosis is suspected as the cause of the chronic bloating, a skilled 
veterinarian should be employed to make a diagnosis, using the 
tuberculin test if necessary. Until it is settled that the cow has 
not tuberculosis, she should be kept apart from the other members 
of the herd. 

DISTENTION OF RUMEN, OB PAUNCH, WITH FOOD. 

This form of indigestion is caused by the animal gorging itself 
with food, and arises more from the animal's voracious appetite than 
from any defect in the quality of the food supplied to it. The con- 
dition is, however, more severe if the food consumed is especially 
concentrated or difficult of digestion. In cases of this kind there is 
comparatively no gi"eat formation of gas, and the gas which is formed 
is diffused through the stomach instead of accumulating in a layer 
in its upper part. On pressing the flank with the closed fist the 
indent of the hand remains for a short time in the flank, as if the 
rumen were filled with a soft^ doughy mass. 

This form of indigestion should be treated by stimulants, such as 
alcohol, wine, or aromatic spirits of ammonia. 

If the formation of gas is not great and the distention with solid 
material is somewhat limited, the animal may be drenched through 
a piece of ordinary garden hose, one end inserted in the mouth, like 



28 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the neck of a bottle, and the other end fitted with a funnel, giving 
1| pounds of sulphate of magnesia, or sulphate of soda, dissolved in 
2 gallons of water, at a single dose. Immediately after this treat- 
ment, the left side of the animal, extending below the median line of 
the abdomen, should be powerfully kneaded with the fist, so that the 
impacted food mass will be broken, allowing the water to separate it 
into small portions, which can be carried downward for the process 
of digestion. But if the treatment applied fails and the impacted or 
overloaded condition of the rumen continues, it may become neces- 
sary to make an incision with a sharp, long-bladed knife in the left 
flank, commencing at the point where it is usual to puncture the 
stomach of an ox, and prolong the incision in a downward direction 
until it is long enough to admit the hand. When the point of the 
knife is thrust into the flank and the blade cuts downward, the wall 
of the stomach, the muscle, and the skin should all be cut through 
at the same time. Two assistants should hold the edges of the wound 
together so as to prevent any food slipping between the flank and 
the wall of the stomach, and then the operator should remove two- 
thirds of the contents of the rumen. This having been done, the 
edges of the wound should be sponged with a little carbolized warm 
water, and, the lips of the w^ound in the rumen being turned inward, 
they should be brought together with catgut stitches. The wound 
penetrating the muscle and the skin may then be brought together 
by silk stitches, which should pass through the entire thickness of 
the muscle and should be about 1 inch apart. The wound should 
afterwards be dressed once a day with a lotion and the animal cov- 
ered with a tight linen sheet, to protect the wound from insects and 
dirt. The lotion to be used in such a case is made up as follows: 
Sulphate of zinc, 1 dram; carbolic acid, 2 drams; glycerin, 2 ounces; 
water, 14 ounces ; mix. It is clear that this operation requires special 
skill and it should be attempted only by those who are competent. 

IMAGINARY DISEASES. 
HOLLOW HORN ; LOSS OF CUD ; WOLF IN THE TAIL. 

It would appear quite in place here, in connection with the diseases 
of the stomach and bowels of cattle, to consider the three old fallacies 
or superstitions known by the above names, since these names, when 
and wherever used, seem to be invariably applied to some form of 
digestive derangement or disease having its origin in the stomach 
and bowels. 

Hollow horn. — In the first place it should be noted that the horns 
of all animals of the ox tribe are hollow. The horn cores are elonga- 
tions of the frontal bones of the skull, and the frontal sinuses, which 
are the larger of the air spaces of the head, are prolonged into the 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OEGANS. 29 



I horn cores. AVlien a cow is sick, if the horns are hot it is an evi- 
dence of fever; if they are cold it indicates impaired circulation of 
the blood, but these manifestations of sickness are to be regarded as 
symptoms of some constitutional disorder and do not in themselves 
require treatment. The treatment should be applied to the disease 
which causes the abnormal temperature of the horns. The usual 
treatment for the supposed hollow horn, which consists of boring the 
horns with a gimlet and pouring turpentine in the openings thus 
made, is not only useless and cniel. but is liable to set up an acute 
inflammation and result in an abscess of the sinus. 

Loss OF CUD. — The so-called loss of cud is simply a cessation of 
rumination, frequently one of the first indications of sickness in any 
kind of a ruminant animal, since ruminants generally stop chewing 
the cud when feeling much out of condition. A restoration of the 
cud may be confidently looked for with an approaching return of the 
animal to a state of normal health. This inay be facilitated by the 
intelligent application of the remedies indicated in the treatment of 
the disordered condition responsible for the cessation of mmination. 
No local treatment is required. 

Wolf in the tail. — The so-called wolf in the tail is most gener- 
ally treated by those who are possessed of this fallacious belief by 
splitting the end of the tail with a knife, filling the cut with salt, and 
binding with a cloth. This imagined trouble is nothing more than a 
debilitated condition of the system, resulting in a relaxed or softened 
condition of the tail, especially at its extremity. It is evident that 
it is the constitutional disorder which requires treatment and not the 
relaxed tail. 

Wlien the immense volume and complicated arrangement of the 
gastric pouches of the cow is considered, together with the great 
quantities of aliment required in the elaboration of milk and for the 
animal's nutrition, it is small wonder, in view of the carelessness so 
often apparent as to both the kinds and quality of food, that disease 
of the digestive organs in these animals is of more frequent occur- 
rence than other diseases. And it is believed that a recognition of 
the facts contained in the foregoing statements will not only tend to 
dissipate any remaining belief in these old fallacies, but to a more 
humane and rational treatment of the various forms of indigestion or 
dyspepsia, of which those manifestations giving rise to impressions 
of hollow horn, loss of cud, and wolf in the tail are but symptoms. 



V0MITINC4. 



This is not to be confounded with rumination, though some writers 
have advanced the opinion that vomiting is merely a disordered 
and irregular rumination. It is not of common occurrence in cattle, 
though it sometimes occurs. 



30 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Symptoms. — ^Animals which vomit are frequently in poor condition. 
After having eaten tranquilly for some time the animal suddenly 
becomes uneasy, arches the back, stretches the neck and head, and 
then suddenly ejects 10 or 12 pounds of the contents of the rumen. 
After having done this the uneasiness subsides, and in a short time 
the animal resumes eating as if nothing had happened. 

Cause. — The cause of this disordered state of the digestive system 
in cattle is usually obscure, but has in some cases been traced to a 
partial closure of the opening into the second stomach or to a disten- 
tion of the esophagus. It has been found to occur when there was 
cancerous disease of the fourth stomach, and experimentally it has 
been shown that a suspension of digestion or great derangement of 
the fourth stomach produces considerable nervous disorder of the 
rumen and sometimes vomiting or attempt to vomit. 

Treatment. — Easily digested food and plenty of water should be 
given. Fear and excitement, chasing, or hurrying animals after eat- 
ing heartily are apt to bring on this result. In order to overcome 
irritation which may produce vomiting, the following draft should be 
given: Hydrate of chloral, half an ounce; whisky, 8 ounces; water, 
1 pint. The dose must be repeated when the condition of the animal 
seems to require it. As a rule, treatment is not successful. 

DEPRAVED APPETITE (PICA). 

Cattle suffering from this disease have a capricious and variable 
appetite as regards their ordinary food, but evince a strong desire to 
lick and eat substances for which healthy cattle show no inclination. 
Alkaline and saline-tasting substances are especially attractive to 
cattle having a depraved appetite, and they frequently lick lime, 
earth, coal, gi-avel, and even the dung of other cattle. Cows in calf 
and young cattle are esi^ecially liable to develop these symptoms. 
Animals affected in this way lose condition, their coat is staring, gait 
slow, and small vesicles containing yellow liquid form under the 
tongue; the milk given by such cows is thin and watery. Such ani- 
mals become restless and uneasy, as is indicated by frequent bellow- 
ing. The disease may last for months, the animal ultimately dying 
emaciated and exhausted. Depraved appetite frequently precedes 
the condition in which the bones of cattle become brittle and fracture 
easily, which is known as osteomalacia. 

Causes. — It is generally believed, from the fact that this disease is 
largely one of regions, that some condition of the soil and water and 
of the local vegetation is responsible for it. It is more prevalent 
some 3^ears than others and is most common in old countries, where 
the soil is more or less depleted. Cattle pastured on low, swampy 
land become predisposed to it. It occasionally happens, however, 
that one individual in a herd suffers though all are fed alike; in such 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 31 

cases the disease must arise from an imperfect assimilation by, 
the affected animal of the nutritive elements of the food which is 
supplied to it. 

Treatment. — The aim in such cases must be to improve the process 
of digestion and to supply the animal with a sufficiency of sound and 
wholesome food. The following should be given to the cow three 
times a day, a heaj)ing tablespoonf ul constituting a dose : Carbonate 
of iron, 4 ounces ; finely ground bone or " bone flour," 1 pound ; pow- 
dered gentian, 4 ounces ; common salt, 8 ounces ; powdered fenugreek, 
4 ounces; mix. In addition to this, 3 tablespoonf uls of powdered 
charcoal may be mixed with the animal's food three times a day, and 
a piece of rock salt should be placed where the animal can lick it at 
will. German veterinarians have had brilliant results from the treat- 
ment of this disease with subcutaneous injections of apomorphine in 
doses of 1^ to 5 grains for three or four days. 

HAIR CONCRETIONS. 

These concretions, or hair balls, result from the habit which some 
cattle have of licking themselves or other animals. As a result the 
hairs which are swallowed are carried round by the contractions of 
the stomach and gradually assume the form of a small pellet, or 
ball. This increases in size as fresh quantities of hair are introduced 
into the stomach, which become adherent to the surface of the hair 
ball. These hair balls are found most frequently in the reticulum, or 
second stomach (PI. II, B), though sometimese in the rumen. In 
calves hair balls are generally found in the fourth stocach. There are 
no certain symptoms by which we can det/cmiine the presence of hair 
balls in the stomach, and therefore no treatment can be recommended 
for such cases. In making post-mortem examinations of cattle, we 
have sometimes found the walls of the reticulum transfixed with nails 
or pieces of wire, and yet the animal during life had not shown any 
symptoms of indigestion, but had died from maladies not involving 
the second stomach. 

INDIGESTION (DYSPEPSIA, OB GASTRO-INTESTINAL CATARRH). 

Tympanites, already described, is a form of indigestion in which 
the chief symptom and most threatening condition is the collection of 
gas in the paunch. This symptom does not always accompany indi- 
gestion, so it is well here to consider other forms under a separate 
head. If indigestion is long continued the irritant abnormal prod- 
ucts developed cause catarrh of the stomach and intestines — gastro- 
intestinal catarrh. Or, on the other hand, irritant substances in- 
gested may cause gastro-intestinal catarrh, which, in turn, will cause 
indigestion. Hence it results that these several conditions are usually 
found existing together. 



82 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

• Causes. — Irritant food, damaged food, overloading of the stomach, 
and sudden changes of diet may cause this disease. Want of exer- 
cise predisposes to it, or food which is coarse and indigestible may 
after a time produce this condition. Food which possesses astringent 
properties and tends to check secretion may also act as an exciting 
cause. Food in excessive quantity may lead to disorder of digestion 
and to this disease. It is very likely to appear toward the end of 
protracted seasons of drought, therefore a deficiency of water must be 
regarded as one of the conditions which favor its development. 

Symptoms. — Diminished appetite, rumination irregular, tongue 
coated, mouth slimy, dung passed apparently not well digested and 
smelling badly, dullness, and fullness of the flanks. The disease 
may in some cases assume a chronic character, and in addition to the 
foregoing symptoms slight bloating, or tympanites, of the left flank 
may be observed; the animal breathes with effort and each respira- 
tion may be accompanied by a grunt, the ears and horns are alter- 
nately hot and cold, rumination ceases, the usual rumbling sound in 
the stomach is not audible, the passage of dung is almost entirely 
suspended, and the animal passes only a little mucus occasionally. 
Sometimes there is alternating constipation and diarrhea. There is 
low fever in many cases. 

The disease continues a few days or a week in the mild cases while 
the severe cases may last several weeks. In the latter fonn the ema- 
ciation and loss of strength may be very great. There is no appe- 
tite, no rumination, or peristalsis. The mouth is hot and sticky, the 
eyes have receded in their sockets, and milk secretion has ceased. In 
such cases the outlook for recovery is unfavorable. The patient falls 
away in flesh and becomes weaker, as is shown by the fact that one 
frequently finds it lying down. 

On examining animals which have died of this disease it is found 
that the lining membrane of the fourth stomach and the intestines, 
particularly the small intestine, is red, swollen, streaked with deeper 
red or bluish lines, or spotted. The lining of the first three stomachs 
is more or less softened, and may easily be peeled off. The third 
stomach (psalter) contains dry, hard food masses closely adherent to 
its walls. 

In some cases the brain appears to become disordered, probably 
from the pain and weakness and from the absorption of toxins gener- 
ated in the digestive canal. In such cases there is weakness and an 
unsteady gait, the animal does not appear to take notice of and will 
consequently run against obstacles; after a time it falls down and 
gives up to violent and disordered movements. This delirious condi- 
tion is succeeded by coma or stupor, and death ensues. 

Treatment. — Small quantities of roots, sweet silage, or selected 
grass or hay should be offered several times daily. Very little food 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 33 

should be allowed. Aromatic and demulcent drafts may be ^ven to 
produce a soothing effect on the mucous lining of the stomachs and 
to promote digestion. Two ounces of camomile flowers should be 
boiled for 20 minutes in a quart of water and the infusion on cooling 
should be given to the affected animal. This may be repeated about 
three times a day. When constipation is present the following purga- 
tive may be administered : One pound of Glauber's salt dissolved in 
a quart of linseed tea and a pint of molasses. After this purgative 
has acted, if there is a lack of appetite and the animal does not 
ruminate regularly, the powder mentioned in remarks on the treat- 
ment of chronic tympanites may be given according to directions. 
The diet must be rather laxative and of a digestible character aft^r 
an attack of this foi-m of indigestion. Food should be given in mod- 
erate quantities, as any excess by overtaxing the digestive functions 
may bring on a relapse. Ice-cold water should be avoided. 

INDIGESTION FROM DRINKING CX)LD WATER ( COLIC ). 

This disorder is produced by drinking copiously of cold water, 
which arrests digestion and produces cramp of the fourth stomach, 
probably of the other stomachs, and also of the bowels. 

Causes. — It is not customary for the ox to drink much water at 
once. In fact, he usually drinks slowly and as if he were merely tast- 
ing the water, letting some fall out at the corners of his mouth at 
every mouthful. It would therefore seem to be contrary to the habits 
of the ox to drink largely ; but we find that during hot weather, when 
he has been working and is consequently very thirsty, if he drinks 
a large quantity of cold water he may be immediately taken with a 
very severe colic. Cows which are fed largely on dry hay drink 
copiously, like the working ox, and become affected in precisely the 
same manner. In such cases they are seized with a chill or fit of 
trembling before the cramps come on. 

/Symptoms. — There is some distention of the abdomen, but no accu- 
mulation of gas. As the distention and pain occur immediately after 
the animal has drunk the water, there can be no doubt as to the 
exciting cause. 

Treatment. — Walk the animal about for 10 minutes before admin- 
istering medicine, as this allows time for a portion of the contents of 
the stomach to pass into the bowel, and renders it safer to give medi- 
cine. In many cases the walking exercise and the diaiThea bring 
about a spontaneous cure of this disorder, but as in some instances 
the cramps and pains of the stomachs persist, one may give 1 ounce 
of sulphuric ether and 1 ounce of tincture of opium, shaken up with 
a pint of warm water, and repeat the dose in half an hour if the ani- 
mal is not relieved. In an emergency when medicine is not to be had, 
16923°— 12 3 



34 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

half a pint of whisky may be substituted for medicine, and should be 
given mixed with a pint of warm water ; or a tablespoonf ul of pow- 
dered ginger may be administered in the same way as the remedies 
already mentioned. 

INDIGESTION IN CALVES (GASTEO-INTESTINAL CATARRH, DIARRHEA, OR SCOUB). 

Sucking calves are subject to a form of diarrhea to which the above 
designations have been applied. 

Causes. — Calves which suck their dams are not frequently affected 
with this disease, though it may be occasioned by their sucking at 
long intervals, and thus overloading the stomach and bringing on 
indigestion, or from improper feeding of the dam on soft, watery, or 
damaged foods. Suckling the calf at irregular times may also cause 
it. Exposure to damp and cold is a potent predisposing cause. 
Calves which are separated from their dams and which receive con- 
siderable quantities of cold milk at long intervals are liable to con- 
tract this form of indigestion. Calves fed on artificial food, used as 
a substitute for milk, frequently contract it. Damaged food, sour or 
rotten milk, milk in dirty cans, skim milk from a dirty creamery 
skim-milk vat, skim milk hauled warm, exposed to the sun, and fed 
from unclean buckets, may all cause this disease. 

Symjytoms. — The calf is depressed; appetite is poor; sometimes 
there is fever ; the extremities are cold. The dung becomes gradually 
softer and lighter in color until it is cream colored and little thicker 
than milk. It has a most offensive odor and may contain clumps 
of curd. Later it contains mucus and gas bubbles. It sticks to the 
hair of the tail and buttocks, causing the hair to drop off and the skin 
to become irritated. There may be pain on passing dung and also 
abdominal or colicky pain. The calf stands about with the back 
arched and belly contracted. There may be tympanites. Great 
weakness ensues in severe cases, and without prompt and successful 
treatment death soon follows. 

Treat7ne7ht. — Remove the cause. Give appropriate food of best 
quality in small quantities. Make sure that the cow furnishing the 
milk is healthy and is properly fed. Clean all milk vessels. Clean 
and disinfect the stalls. For the diarrhea give two raw eggs, or a cup 
of strong coffee, or 2 ounces of blackberry brandy. If the case is 
severe, give 1 ounce of castor oil with a teaspoonful of creolin and 
20 grains of subnitrate of bismuth. Repeat the bismuth and creolin 
with blackberry brandy and flaxseed tea every 4 hours. Tannopin 
may be used in dose of 15 to 30 grains. 

Calves artificially fed on whole or skim milk should receive only 
such milk as is sweet and has been handled in a sanitary manner. 
Milk should always be warmed to the body temperature before feed- 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 35 

ing. AVlien calves artificially milk fed develop diarrhea, the use of 
the following treatment has given excellent results in many cases: 
Immediately after milking, or the separation of the skim milk from 
the cream, formalin should be added to the milk which is used for 
feeding in the proportion of 1 to 4,000, which may be closely approxi- 
mated by adding 4 drops of the formalin to each quart of milk. This 
medicated milk should be fed to the calf in the usual quantity. When 
the diarrhea is not controlled by this treatment in three or four days, 
the additional use of some of the agents recommended above may 
assist in a recovery. 

INFECTIOUS diaeehea; white sco^b. 

[See chapter on Diseases of Young Calves, p. 252.] 

GASTRO-ENTEEITIS. 

This consists of an inflammation of the walls of the stomachs and 
of the bowel. 

Gastro-enteritis, or inflammation of the walls of the stomachs and 
intestines, follows upon irritations more severe or longer continued 
than those that produced gastro-intestinal catarrh. 

Causes. — Severe indigestion may be followed by gastro-enteritis, or 
it may be caused by swallowing irritant poisons, such as arsenic or 
corrosive sublimate or irritant plants. Exposure to cold or inclement 
weather may produce this disease, especially in debilitated animals 
or animals fed improperly. It is claimed that if cattle feed on vege- 
tation infested wdth some kinds of caterpillars this disease may result. 

Symptoms. — Dullness ; drooping of the ears ; dryness of the muzzle ; 
dry skin; staring coat; loins morbidly sensitive to pressure; fullness 
of the left flank, which is owing to the distention of the fourth 
stomach by gas. The pulse is small, the gait is feeble and staggering ; 
each step the animal makes is accompanied by a grunt, and this 
symptom is especially marked if the animal happens to walk in a 
downward direction. There is loss of appetite, and rumination is 
suspended. The passages at first are few in number, hard, and are 
sometimes coated with mucus or with blood. Later a severe diarrhea 
sets in, when the passages contain mucus and blood and have an 
offensive odor. There is evidence of colicky pain, and the abdomen is 
sensitive to pressure. Pain may be continuous. There is fever and 
acceleration of pulse rate and respirations. Mental depression and 
even insensibility occur before death. The disease is always severe 
and often fatal. 

Post-mA)rtem appearances. — The mucous membrane of the fourth 
stomach has a well-marked red color and sometimes presents ulcera- 
tions. The wall is thickened and softened, and similar conditions 
are found in the walls of the intestines. The red discoloration ex- 



36 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

tends ill spots or large areas quite through the wall, showing on the 
outside. 

Treatment, — Very small quantities of carefully selected food must 
be given and the appetite must not be forced. Protect the animal 
well from cold and dampness. Internally, give linseed tea, boiled 
milk, boiled oatmeal gruel, or rice water. These protectives may 
carry the medicine. Tamiopin in doses of 30 to 60 grains is good. 
Subnitrate of bismuth in doses of 1 to 2 drams may be given. Pul- 
verized opium may be used, if the dian-hea is severe, in 1 to 2 dram 
doses. If the bowel movements are not free, one may give from a 
pint to a quart of castor or raw linseed oil. 

TRAUMATIC INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 

This disease results from the presence of a foreign body. This 
condition is not rare in cattle, because these animals have the habit of 
swallowing their food without careful chewing, and so nails, screws, 
hairpins, ends of wire, and other metal objects may be swallowed 
unconsciously. Such obj«?ts gravitate to the second stomach, where 
they may become caught in the folds of the lining mucous membrane, 
and in some instances the wall of this organ is perforated. From this 
accident, chronic indigestion results. The symptoms, more or less 
characteristic, are pain when getting up or lying down ; grunting and 
pain upon sudden motion, especially down hill; coughing; pain on 
pressure over the second stomach, which lies immediately above the 
cartilaginous prolongation of the sternum. If the presence of such a 
foreign body is recognized, it may be removed by a difficult surgical 
operation ; or, as is usually most economical, the animal may be killed 
for beef, if there is no fever. 

DISEASES OF THE BOWELS. 

DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY. 

[See also Gastrointestinal catarrh, p. 34.] 

The word " dysentery." as it is commonly used in relation to the 
diseases of animals, signifies a severe form of diarrhea. 

Causes. — Diarrhea is a symptom of irritation of the intestines, 
resulting in increased secretion or increased muscular contraction.?, 
or both. The irritation is sometimes the result of chilling from 
exposure, improper feeding, irritant foods, indigestion, organic dis- 
eases of the intestines, or parasites. 

Symptoms. — Passages from the bowels are frequent, at first con- 
sisting of thin dung, but as the disease continues they become watery 
and offensive-smelling, and may be even streaked with blood. At 
first the animal shows no constitutional disturbance, but later it 
becomes weak and may exhibit evidence of abdominal pain by look- 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 37' 

ing around to the side, drawing tlie feet together, lying down, or 
moving restlessly. Sometimes this malady is accompanied by fever, 
great depression, loss of strength, rapid loss of flesh, and it may 
terminate in death. 

Treatment. — When the disease depends on irritating properties of 
the food which has been supplied to the animal, it is advisable to give 
a mild purgative, such as a pint of castor or linseed oil. When the 
secretions of the bowels are irritating, an ounce of carbonate of mag- 
nesia and half an ounce of tincture of opium should be shaken up in 
a quart of linseed tea and given to the animal three times a day until 
the passages present a natural appearance. When there is debility, 
want of appetite, no fever, but a continuance of the watery discharges 
from the bowels, then an astringent may be given. For such cases 
the following is serviceable : Tannic acid, 1 ounce ; powdered gentian, 
2 ounces; mix and divide into 12 pow^ders, one powder to be given 
three times a day until the passages present a natural appearance. 
Each powder may be mixed with a half pint of whisky or blackberry 
brandy and a pint of water. Tannopin is a new remedy that is most 
useful in such cases. The dose is from 30 grains to 2 drams. Useful 
household remedies are raw eggs, strong coffee, parched rye flour, or 
decoction of oak bark. In all cases the food must be given sparingly, 
and it should be carefully selected to insure good quality. Complete 
rest in a box stall is desirable. AAHien diarrhea is a symptom of a 
malady characterized by the presence of a blood poison, the treat- 
ment appropriate to such disease must be applied. 

SIMPLE ENTERITIS. 

[See Gastroenteritis, p. 35.] 

CROUPOUS ENTERITIS. 

Under certain conditions, severe irritation of the digestive canal 
may, in cattle, cause a form of inflammation of the intestines (enter- 
itis) that is characterized by the formation of a false membrane upon 
the surface of the lining membrane of the intestines, and particularly 
the large intestines. 

Syinptoms. — There is fever, depression, loss of appetite, diarrhea, 
and in the fecal masses shreds of leathery false membrane may be 
found. These shreds are sometimes mistaken for parasites or for 
portions of the wall of the intestine. 

Treatment. — Give a pound of Glauber's salt, followed by bicar- 
bonate of soda in doses of 2 ounces four times daily. 

ENTERITIS (OBSTRUCTION RESULTING FROM INVAGINATION, OR INTUSSUSCEPTION, 
TWISTING, AND KNOTTING OF THE BOWELS.) 

Inflammation may arise from a knot forming on some part of the 
small intestine from the portion of the bowel becoming twisted on 



38 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

itself, or -from one part of the bowel slipping into another, which is 
termed invagination. This form of enteritis occurs occasionally in 
animals of the bovine species. 

Causes. — The small intestine, which in the ox rests on the right 
side of the rumen, is, from the position which it occupies, predisposed 
to this accident. It has been ascertained that animals which have 
shown symptoms of this malady have trotted, galloped, or made other 
violent exertions in coming from drinking, or that they have been 
chased by dogs or by animals of their own species while at pasture. 
The accident is most likely to occur among cattle on very hilly pas- 
tures. The danger of jumping or running is gi-eatest when the rumen 
is distended with food. 

Sypmtoms. — This form of enteritis or obstruction is manifested by 
severe colicky pains; the ox scrapes and strikes the ground with his 
front and hind feet alternately; keeps lying down and getting up 
again; he keeps his tail constantly raised and turns his nose fre- 
quently to his right flank; he is frequently bloated, or tympanitic, 
on that side. He refuses food and does not ruminate, and for some 
hours suffers severe pains. At first he frequently passes thin dung, 
and also urinates frequently, but passes only a little urine at a time. 
On the second day the pains have become less acute; the animal 
remains lying down; moans occasionally; his pulse is small and 
quick ; he refuses food and does not ruminate. At this stage he does 
not pass any dung, though sometimes a small quantity of bloody 
mucus may be passed. The animal passes very little urine. This 
condition may continue for a considerable time, as cattle so affected 
may live for 15 or even 20 days. 

Post-mortenv appearance. — At death the bowels are found to be mis- 
placed or obstructed, as mentioned above, and inflamed, the inflam- 
mation always originating at the point where the intestine has been 
invaginated, twisted, or knotted. Sometimes the part is gangrenous, 
the compression of the blood vessels preventing circulation, and thus 
causing the death of the tissues. 

Treatonent. — Purgatives, anodynes, and other remedies are of no 
service in such cases, and bleeding also fails to produce any benefit. 
Indeed, it is usually true that in such cases treatment is useless. 
Some cases are recorded in which an incision has been made in the 
flank, so as to enable the operator to restore the intestine to its normal 
position or to remove the kink. 



CONSTIPATION. 



Constipation is to be regarded rather as a symptom of disease or of 
faults in feeding than as a disease in itself. It occurs in almost all 
general fevers unless the bowels are involved in local disease, in 
obstructions of all kinds, from feeding on dry, bulky food, etc. In 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 39. 

order to remove the constipation the treatment must be applied to 
remove the causes which give rise to it. Calves sometimes suffer from 
constipation immediately afterbirth when the meconium that accumu- 
lates in the bowels before birth is not passed. In such cases, give a 
rectal injection of warm water and an ounce of castor oil shaken up 
with an ounce of new milk. The mother's milk is the best food to 
prevent constipation in the new-born calf, as it contains a large 
amount of fatty matter which renders it laxative in its effects. 

It is usually better to treat habitual constipation by a change of diet 
than by medicine. Flaxseed is a good food laxative. If the consti- 
pation has lasted long, repeated small doses of purgatives are better 
than a single large dose. 

INTESTINAL WORMS. 

[See cliapter on " The animal parasites of cattle," p. 518.] 

BUPTURES (VENTRAL HERNIA). 

Ventral hernia, or rupture, is an escape of some one of the abdom- 
inal organs through a rupture in the abdominal muscles, the skin 
remaining intact. The rumen, the small intestine, or part of the 
large intestine, and the fourth stomach are the parts which usually 
form a ventral hernia in bovine animals. 

Causes. — Hernia is frequently produced by blows of the horns, 
kicks, and falls. In old cows hernia may sometimes occur without 
any direct injury. 

Hernia of the rumen. — Hernia of the rumen is generally situated 
on the left side of the abdomen, on account of the situation of the 
rumen. In exceptional cases it may take place on the right side, and 
in such cases it also generally happens that some folds of the intes- 
tine pass into the hernial sac. Hernias have been classified into 
simple or complicated, recent or old, traumatic <'from mechanical 
injury) or spontaneous. 

In recent traumatic hernia there is swelling on the left side of the 
lower part of the abdomen. The swelling is greatest in the cases of 
hernia which are situated on the lower part of the abdomen. Unless 
an examination is made immediately after the injury has been in- 
flicted it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to ascertain the exact 
extent of the rupture, owing to the swelling which subsequently takes 
place. Frequently there is no loss of appetite, fever, or other general 
symptoms attending the injury. From the twelfth to the fifteenth 
day the swelling has generally subsided to such an extent that it is 
possible by an examination to determine the extent of the rupture. 

In old cows what is termed spontaneous hernia may sometimes take 
place without any direct injury. The occurrence of this form of 
hernia is explained by the increase in the size of the abdomen, which 



40 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

takes place in an advanced stage of pregnancy, causing a thinning 
and stretching of the muscular fibers, which at last may rupture, or 
give way. Such hernias frequently occur about the end of the period 
of gestation, and in some instances have contained the right sac of 
the rumen, the omentum, the small and large intestines, a portion of 
the liver, and the pregnant uterus. 

In old hernias the swelling is soft and elastic, and if they have not 
contracted adhesions to the sides of the laceration, they can be made 
to disappear by pressure carefully applied. Sometimes this accident 
is complicated by a rupture of the rumen, constituting a complicated 
hernia. If a portion of the contents of the rumen escape into the 
abdomen, the case will be aggravated by the occurrence of peritonitis. 

Hernia of the bowel. — AMien the intestines (PI. Ill, fig. 6) form 
the contents of the hernia, it will be situated at the right side of the 
abdomen. In an intestinal hernia the swelling is usually not painful, 
of a doughy consistence or elastic, according as the intestine does or 
does not contain alimentary matter. This swelling can generally be 
made to disappear by pressure, and when it has been reduced one 
can easily recognize the direction and extent of the hernial opening. 
Hernias of the bowel which are situated at the upper and right side 
of the abdomen are usually formed by the small intestine. They are 
less easily reduced than a hernia in a lower situation, but when 
reduction has been effected they are less readily reproduced than 
those occurring lower. In hernias of the small intestine, adhesion of 
the protruding parts to the walls of the opening, or strangulation, 
are complications which sometimes take place. If adhesion has taken 
place the hernia can not be reduced by pressure, and when strangu- 
lation has occurred the animal shows symptoms of pain — is restless, 
turns its nose to the painful part, and shows those symptoms which 
are usually collectively designated under the term colic. If relief is 
not afforded, the animal will die. 

Hernia of the rennet, or fourth stomach. — This disease occa- 
sionally occurs in calves and is usually caused by a blow from a cow's 
horn on the right flank of the calf. After such an ac.cident a swell- 
ing forms on the right flank near the last rib. This swelling may be 
neither hot nor painful, even at first, and is soft to the touch. It can 
be made to disappear by careful pressure, when the sides of the aper- 
ture through which it has passed can be felt. The application of 
pressure so as to cause the disappearance of the hernia is best made 
immediately after the occurrence of the accident, or when the edema 
which accompanies the swelling has disappeared. 

Treatment. — When a hernia is reducible — ^that is. can be pushed 
back info the abdomen — then, if it is of recent occurrence, it is advis- 
able to maintain the natural position of the parts by bandaging and 
to allow the walls of the laceration to grow together. The boAvels 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 41 

should be kept reasonably empty by avoiding the use of bulky food, 
and the animal must be kept quiet. 

The following method of bandaging is recommended by Bouley: 

First prepare a bandage (must be of stroug material), about 10 yards long 
and between 3 and 4 inches broad, and a flexible and solid jiiece of pasteboard 
adapted in size to the surface of the hernia. The protruding organ must then 
be replaced in the abdomen and maintained in that position during the applica- 
tion of the bandage. This being done, a layer of melted pitch and turpentine 
is quickly spread on the skin covering the seat of the hernia, so as to extend 
somewhat beyond that space. This adhesive layer is then covered with a layer 
of fine tow, then a new layer of pitch and turpentine is spread on the tow, and 
the piece of pasteboard is applied on the layer of pitch, its outer surface being 
covered with the same preparation. Lastly, the bandage, adhering to the piece 
of pasteboard, to the skin, and to the different turns which it makes around the 
body, is carefully applied so as to form an immovable, rigid, and solid bandage, 
which will retain the hernia long enough for the wound in the abdominal walla 
to heal permanently. 

If the hernia is old and small it may be treated by injecting a 
strong solution of common salt about the edges of the tear. This 
causes swelling and inflammation, which, respectively, forces the pro- 
truded organ back and closes the opening. There is some risk 
attached to this method of treatment. 

In small, old ventral hernias the method of compressing and 
sloughing off the skin has been used successfully. If the hernia is 
large a radical operation will be necessary, and this is also time when 
the symptoms indicate that a hernia is strangulated. This operation 
is performed by cutting down on the hernia, restoring the organ to 
the abdominal cavity, and then closing the wound with two sets of 
stitches; the inner stitches, in the muscular wall, should be made 
with catgut and the outer stitches, in the skin, may be made with silk 
or silver wire. The strictest surgical cleanliness must be observed. 
Bleeding vessels should be tied. Then a compress composed of ten 
or twelve folds of cloth must be placed smoothly over the seat of 
injury and a bandage applied around the body, the two ends being 
fastened at the back. In the smaller kinds of hernia, nitric acid may 
sometimes be applied with success. This treatment should not be 
applied until the swelling and inflammation attending the appearance 
of the hernia have subsided ; then, the contents of the hernia having 
been returned, the surface of skin corresponding to it is sponged over 
with a solution composed of 1 part of nitric acid to 2 parts of water. 
This treatment acts by exciting considerable inflammation, which 
has the effect of causing swelling, and thus frequently closing the 
hernial opening and preventing the contents of the sac from return- 
ing. A second application should not be made until the inflammation 
excited by the first has subsided. In what is termed spontaneous 
hernia it is useless to apply aiiv kind of treatment. 



42 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Umbilical hernia. — The umbilicus, or navel, is the aperture 
through which the blood vessels pass from the mother to the fetus, 
and naturally the sides of this aperture ought to adhere or unite after 
birth. In very young animals, and sometimes in new-born calves, 
this aperture in the abdominal muscles remains open and a part of 
the bowel or a portion of the mesentery may slip through the open- 
ing, constituting what is called umbilical hernia. The wall of the sac 
is formed by the skin, which is covered on the inner surface by a 
layer of cellular tissue^ and within this there is sometimes, but not 
always, a layer of peritoneum. The contents of the hernia may be 
formed by a part of the bowel, by a portion of the peritoneum, or may 
contain portions of both peritoneum and bowel. Wlien the sac con- 
tains only the peritoneum it has a doughy feel, but when it is formed 
by a portion of the bowel it will be more elastic on applying pressure. 

Causes. — In the new-born animal the opening of the navel is gen- 
erally large, and this opening may sometimes give way to the pressure 
of the bowel on account of the weak and relaxed condition of the 
abdominal muscles. This defective and abnormal condition of the 
umbilicus is frequently hereditary. It may be occasioned by roughly 
pulling away the umbilical cord ; through kicks or blows on the belly ; 
through any severe straining by which the sides of the navel are 
stretched apart. We may mention in this connection that it is best 
in new-born calves to tie the umbilical cord tightly about 2 inches 
from the navel, and then to leave it alone, when it will drop off in a 
few days in most cases, leaving the navel in a closed condition. 

Treatment. — It is well to bear in mind that many, and especially 
the smaller, umbilical hernias will heal spontaneously ; that is, nature 
effects a cure. As the animal gets older the abdominal muscles get 
stronger and possess more power of resistance to pressure, the bowels 
become larger and do not pass so readily through a small opening^ so 
that from a combination of causes there is a gradual growing to- 
gether or adhesion of the sides of the navel. In cases of umbilical 
hernia where there are no indications that a spontaneous cure will 
take place, the calf should be laid on its back, and immediately on 
this being done the hernia will often disappear into the abdomen. 
If it does not its reduction may be brought about by gentle handling, 
endeavoring, if need be, to empty the organs forming the hernia 
before returning them into the abdomen. After the hernia has been 
returned the hair should be clipped from the skin covering it and a 
compress composed of 10 or 12 folds of linen or cotton should be 
applied, first smearing the skin with pitch and then a bandage about 
3 inches wide should be passed round the body so as to retain the 
compress in position. The lower part of the compress should be 
smeared with pitch, and also those portions of the bandage which 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 43 

pass over it, so as to keep it solid and prevent it from shifting. In 
some cases it will be found that the contents of the sac can not be 
returned into the abdomen, and this generally arises from the fact 
that some part of the contents of the sac has grown to or become 
adherent to the edges of the umbilical opening. In such a case the 
skin must be carefully laid open in the long direction, the adhesions 
of the protruding organs carefully separated from the umbilicus, and 
after the protruding parts have been returned into the abdomen, the 
sides of the umbilicus must be freshened if necessaiy by paring, and 
then the edges of the opening brought together by catgut stitches; 
the wound in the skin must then also be brought together by stitches. 
The wound must be carefully dressed every day and a bandage passed 
round the body so as to cover and protect the part operated on. 

In small hernias nitric acid has been used successfully in the same 
manner as has been described in speaking of the treatment of ventral 
hernia. Sulphuric acid has also been used for a similar purpose, 
diluting it to the extent of 1 part of acid to 3 or 5 of water. In thin- 
skinned animals the weaker preparations ought to be preferred, and 
caution must be exercised in using such preparations so as not to 
destroy the tissues on which they are applied. 

Another method of treatment is, after the contents of the sac have 
been returned into the abdomen, to tie a piece of strong waxed cord 
round the pendulous portion which formed the outer covering of the 
hernia. The string is apt to slacken after two or three days, when a 
new piece of cord should be applied above the first one. The con- 
striction of the skin sets up inflammation, which generally extends to 
the umbilicus and causes the edges to adhere together, and by the time 
the portion of skin below the ligature has lost its vitality and dropped 
off, the umbilicus is closed and there is no danger of the abdominal 
organs protruding through it. This is what takes place when this 
method has a favorable result, though if the umbilicus does not become 
adherent and the skin sloughs, the bowels will protrude through the 
opening. 

Gut-tie (peritoneal hernia). — In peritoneal hernia of the ox a 
loop or knuckle of intestine enters from the abdomen into a rent in 
that part of the peritoneum which is situated at the margin of the 
hip bone or it passes under the remains of the spermatic cord, the 
end of which may be grown fast to the inner inguinal ring. The 
onward pressure of the bowel, as well as the occasional turning of the 
latter round the spermatic cord, is the cause of the cord exercising 
considerable pressure on the bowel, which occasions irritation, ob- 
structs the passage of excrement, and excites inflammation, which 
terminates in gangrene and death. 

The rent in the peritoneum is situated at the upper and front part 
of the pelvis, nearer to the sacrum than the pubis. (PI. I.) 



44 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Causes. — Among the causes of peritoneal hernia considerable impor- 
tance is attached to a method of castration which is practiced in cer- 
tain districts, viz, the tearing or rupturing of the spermatic cord by 
main force instead of dividing it at a proper distance above the 
testicle in a surgical manner. After this violent and rough method 
of operating, the cord retracts into the abdomen and its stump becomes 
adherent to some part of the peritoneum, or it may wind around the 
bowel and then the stump becomes adherent, so that strangulation of 
the bowel results. The rough dragging on the cord may also cause a 
tear in the peritoneum, the result of which need not be described. 
The severe exertion of asceilding hills and mountains, drawing heavy 
loads, or the straining which oxen undergo while fighting each other 
may also give rise to peritoneal hernia. 

Sifmptoms. — The ox suddenly becomes very restless, stamps with 
his feet, moves backward and forward, hurriedly lies down, rises, 
moves his tail uneasily, and kicks at his belly with the foot of the 
affected side. The pain evinced may diminish, but soon returns 
again. In the early stage there are frequent passages of dung, but 
after the lapse of 18 or 24 hours this ceases, the bowel apparently 
being emptied up to the point of strangulation, and the passages now 
consist only of a little mucus mixed with blood. Allien injections are 
given at this time the water passes out of the bowel without even 
being colored. The animal lies down on the side where the hernia 
exists and stretches out his hind feet in a backward direction. These 
two particular symptoms serve to distinguish this affection from en- 
teritis and invagination of the bowel. As time passes, the animal 
becomes quieter, but this cessation of pain may indicate that gangrene 
of the bowel has set in, and may, therefore, under certain circ\im- 
stances, be considered a precursor of death. Gangrene may take 
place in from four to six days, when perforation of the bowel may 
occur and death result in a short time. 

Treatment. — The ox should in the first place be examined by oiling 
the hand and arm and passing it into the rectum ; the hand should be 
passed along the margin of the pelvis, beginning at the sacrum and 
continuing downward toward the inguinal ring, when a soft, painful 
swelling will be felt, which may vary from the size of an apple to that 
of the two fists. This swelling will be felt to be tightly compressed 
by the spermatic cord. It very rarely happens that there is any 
similar swelling on the left side, though it is best in such cases to make 
a thorough examination. The bowel has sometimes been released 
from its position by driving the ox down a hill, by causing him to 
jump from a height of 2 feet to the ground, and the expedient of 
trotting him has been resorted to with the hope that the jolting 
movement might bring about a release of the bowel. If the simple ex- 
pedients mentioned have been tried and failed, then the hand being 



DISEASES OP THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 45 

passed into the rectum should bepressed gently on the swelling in an 
upward and forward direction, so as to endeavor to push the im- 
prisoned portion of the bowel back into the abdomen. While this is 
being done the ox's hind feet should stand on higher ground than the 
front, so as to favor the slipping out of the bowel by its own weight, 
and at the same time an assistant should squeeze the animal's loins, 
so as to cause it to bend downward and so relax the band formed by 
the spermatic cord. If the imprisoned portion of gut is freed, which 
may be ascertained by the disappearance of the swelling, the usual 
sounds produced by the bowels moving in the abdomen will be heard, 
and in a few hours the feces and urine will be passed as usual. If the 
means mentioned fail in releasing the imprisoned portion of the gut, 
then an incision about 4 inches long must be made in the right flank 
in a downward direction, the hand introduced into the abdomen, the 
situation and condition of swelling exactly ascertained, and then a 
probe-pointed knife inserted between the imprisoned bowel and band 
compressing it, and turned outward against the band, the latter 
being then cautiously divided and the imprisoned gut allowed to 
esc<Tpe. or, if necessary, the bowel should be drawn gently from its 
position into the abdomen. The wound in the flank must be brought 
together in the same way as in the case of the wound made in 
operating for impaction of the nmien. 

WOUNDS OF THE ABDOMEN. 

A wound of the abdomen may merely penetrate the skin; but as 
such cases are not attended w^ith much danger, nor their treatment 
with much difficulty, we propose to consider here merely those wounds 
"which penetrate the entire thickness of the abdominal walls and 
expose to a greater or less extent the organs contained in that caA'ity. 

Causes. — Such accidents may be occasioned by falling on fragments 
of broken glass or other sharp objects. A blow from the horn of 
another animal may produce a wound which penetrates the abdomen. 
Exposure and protrusion of some of the abdominal organs may al^o 
be occasioned by the incautious use of caustics in the treatment of 
umbilical or ventral hernia. The parts which generally escape 
through an abdominal wound are the small intestine and floating 
colon. 

Symptoms. — When the abdominal wound is small, the bowel ex- 
posed presents the appearance of a small round tumor, but in a few 
moments a loop of intestine may emerge from the opening. The ani- 
mal then shows symptoms of severe pain by pawing with his feet, 
which has the effect of accelerating the passage of new loops of in- 
testine through the wound, so that the mass which they form may 
even touch the ground. The pain becomes so great that the ox now 
not only paws but lies down and rolls, thus tearing and crushing his 



46 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

bowels. In such cases it is best to slaughter the animal at once; but 
in the case of a valuable animal in which tearing and crushing of the 
bowels has not taken place, the bowels should be washed with freshly 
boiled water, reduced to the temperature of the body, and returned, 
and the wounds in the muscle and skin brought together in a manner 
somewhat similar to that which was described in speaking of ventral 
hernia. 

DISEASES OF THE LIVER AND SPLEEN. 

JAUNDICE (the yellows, OR CONGESTION OF THE LIVER). 

[Plate IV.] 

When jaundice exists, there is a yellow appearance of the white of 
the eyes and of the mucous membrane of the mouth. A similar aspect 
of the skin may also be observed in animals which are either partly 
or altogether covered with white hair. Jaundice is then merely a 
symptom of disease and ought to direct attention to ascertaining, if 
possible, the cause or causes which have given rise to it. A swollen 
condition of the mucous membrane of that part of the bowel called 
the duodenum may produce jaundice, as that mechanically closes the 
orifice of the biliary duct. In constipation there is an inactive or tor- 
pid condition of the bowel, and the bile which passes into the intes- 
tine may be absorbed and cause the yellow staining of jaundice. 
Jaundice is one of the symptoms of Texas fever. It may also arise 
from the presence of parasites or gallstones in the ducts, forming a 
mechanical obstruction to the onward flow of bile. The conditions 
under which jaundice most commonly calls for treatment are when 
cattle have been highly fed and kept in a state of inactivity. At such 
a time there is an excess of nutritive elements carried into the blood, 
which is associated with increased fullness of the portal vein and 
hepatic artery. When continued high feeding has produced this 
congested state of the liver, the functions of that organ become dis- 
ordered, so that a considerable portion of the bile, instead of being 
excreted and passing into the intestine, is absorbed by the hcDatic 
veins. 

SymptoTm. — This disease, although rare, occurs most frequently 
among stall-fed cattle. Pressure along the margin of the short ribs 
on the right side produces pain; the appetite is poor and the animal 
shows hardly any inclination to drink ; the mucous membranes of the 
eye and mouth are yellow, the urine has a yellow or brown appear- 
ance, the animal lies down much and moves with reluctance, moans 
occasionally, and has a tottering gait. The ears and horns are alter- 
nately hot and cold ; in cows the secretion of milk is much diminished, 
and that which is secreted has a bitter taste; sometimes the animal 
has a dry, painful cough and presents a dull, stupefied appearance. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. ' 47 

Treatment. — In such cases it is advisable to produce a free action of 
the bowels, so as to remove the usually congested condition of the 
portal vein and liver. For this purpose we recommend the adminis- 
tration of the following dose: Sulphate of soda, IG ounces; molasses, 
1 pint; warm water, 1 quart. The sulphate of soda is dissolved by 
stirring it up in tepid water. Following this the animal should have 
a heaping tablespoonful of artificial Carlsbad salt in the food three 
times daily. This treatment may be assisted by giving occasional 
mjections of warm water and soap. The diet should be laxative and 
moderate in quantity, and may consist of coarse bran mash, pulped 
roots, grass in the season, and hay in moderate quantity. 

HEPATITIS (inflammation OF THE LIVER). 

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, and usually occurs as a 
complication of some infectious disease. It may also occur as a com- 
plication of gastro- intestinal catarrh, or in the hot weather from over- 
heating or damaged (putrid or fermented) foods. 

Symptoms. — The symjjtoms are sometimes obscure, and their real 
significance is frequently overlooked. The most prominent symp- 
toms are yellowness of the white of the eye and of the membrane 
lining the mouth; the appetite is poor, the body presents an emaci- 
ated appearance, the feces are light colored, while the urine is likely 
to be unusually dark; there is thirst, and pain is caused by pressing 
over the liver. The gait is weak, and the animal lies down more 
than usual, and while doing so frequently has its head turned around 
resting on the side of its chest. 

Treatment. — Give a purge of Glauber's salt, and after it has oper- 
ated give artificial Carlsbad salt in each feed, as advised under 
" Jaundice." Give green food and plenty of water. Oil of turpen- 
tine should be rubbed in well once a day over the region of the liver. 
The skin on which it should be applied extends from the false ribs 
on the right side to 6 inches in front of the last one, and from the 
backbone to 12 inches on the right side of it. 

THE FLUKE DISEASE. 

[See chapter on "The animal parasites of cattle," p. 518.] 

SPLENITIS (inflammation OF THE SPLEEN). 

This disease occui-s almost solely as a result of the existence of 
some infectious disease, and the symptoms caused by it merge with 
the symptoms of the accompanying causative disease. The spleen is 
seriously involved, and becomes enlarged and soft in Texas fever, 
anthrax, and blood poisoning. 



48 ' DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

DISEASES OF THE PERITONEUM. 
PERITONITIS. 

Peritonitis consists in an inflammation of the peritoneum, which is 
the thin, delicate membrane that lines the abdomen and covers the 
abdominal organs. 

Causes. — Wounds are the usual cause in cattle. The wound may 
be of the abdominal wall or of the intestines, stomach, or uterus ; or 
inflammation may extend from one of the organs of the abdominal 
cavity to the peritoneum; so this disease may complicate enteritis or 
inflamed womb. A sharp metal body may perforate the second 
stomach and allow the gastric contents to escape, irritating the peri- 
toneum. This disease may follow castration or operation for hernia. 

Symptoms. — A continuous or occasional shivering; the animal lies 
down, but appears uneasy; it frequently turns its head toward its 
belly and lows plaintively ; pressure on the flanks produces pain ; has 
no appetite ; muzzle is dry and no rumination ; while standing, its legs 
are placed well under its body; pulse small and hard. The evacua- 
tions from the bowels are dry and hard. If this disease is compli- 
cated by the presence of inflammation of the bowels, the pain is more 
severe and the animal is more restless. The skin is cold and dry in 
the early stage of this disease, but in a more advanced stage this con- 
dition may be succeeded by heat of the skin and quick breathing. 
The fits of trembling, uneasiness, small and hard pulse, and tension of 
the left flank are symptoms i\\^ presence of which would enable one 
to reach the conclusion that peritonitis exists. 

Post-mortem, appearanee. — The membrane lining the abdomen and 
covering the surface of the bowels is reddened to a greater or less 
extent, and there is usually considerable serous, or waterj', fluid col- 
lected in the abdomen. 

Treatment. — When we have to do with the fonn of peritonitis re- 
sulting from an injury, as when the horn of another animal has been 
thrust through the abdominal walls, this lesion must be treated in 
accordance with directions before given, but the general treatment 
must be similar to that which follows. Peritonitis resulting from 
castration or from parturient fever must also be treated in connec- 
tion with the special conditions which give rise to it, as the general 
treatment of this disease must be modified to some extent by the 
exciting cause. 

The aim must be to discover and remove the cause. The cause 
must be treated according to its nature. Harms strongly recommends 
borax in the treatment of peritonitis. He gives 6 ounces in the first 
24 hours, divided into three doses, and aftei-wards he gives 6 drams 
three times daily. Opium in doses of 2 to 3 drams may be given. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 49 

To bring on evacuations of the bowels it is better to give rectal injec- 
tions than to administer purges. The strength may be sustained by 
coffee, whisky, or camphor. 

The body should be warmly clothed, and it is advisable, when prac- 
ticable, to have a blanket which has been wrung out of hot water 
placed over the abdomen, then covered by several dry blankets, which 
are maintained in position by straps or ropes passing around the body. 
The wet blanket must be changed as it cools — the object of treatment 
being to warm the surface of the body and to determine as much blood 
to the skin as possible. The diet should consist of laxative food and 
drinks, such as linseed tea. If peritonitis assumes chronic form the 
diet should be nutritious, such as selected clover hay, linseed cake, 
grass, etc., and iodid of potassium should be given in gram doses 
dissolved in a pint of water three times a day. 

DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN (ASCITES). 

In this disease there is a serous, or w^atery, effusion in the cavity 
of the abdomen. 

Causes. — When old animals are fed on innutritious food or when 
an animal is reduced by disease, they become anemic ; or, in other 
words, their blood becomes impoverished and dropsy may follow this 
condition. An innutritious and insufficient diet will produce the 
same effect in young animals. It is one of the results of peritonitis, 
and may also arise from acute or chronic inflammation of the liver, 
such as is of common occurrence when flukes are present in the liver 
in large numbers. Heart disease and chronic lung disease may be 
followed by ascites. It is sometimes, in calves, a symptom of infes- 
tation with worms. 

Symptoins. — A gradual increase in the size of the abdomen at its 
lower part, wdiile the flanks becomes hollow ; pallor of the mucous 
membrane of the mouth and eye; weak and sluggish gait; want of 
appetite, and irregularity in ruminating. On percussion or tapping 
the surface of the abdomen with the fingers, a dull sound is produced. 
If the hand and arm are oiled and passed into the rectum so far as 
possible, on moving the hand from one side to the other the fluctua- 
tion caused by the presence of fluid in the abdomen may be felt. 

Treatment. — If possible the cause must be discovered and removed. 
The diet should be nutritious, and in those cases where we have 
merely to deal with anemia (the bloodless state) arising from insuffi- 
cient diet, the use of tonics and diuretics, at the same time keeping 
the skin warm, may bring about a gradual absorption of the fluid 
contained in the abdomen. One of the following powders may be 
mixed with the animal's food three times a day; or, if there is any 
uncertainty as to its being taken in that way, it should be mixed with 

16923°— 12 4 



50 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

sirup, so as to form, a paste, and smeared well back on the animal's 
ton^e with a flat wooden spoon : Carbonate of iron, 3 ounces ; pow- 
dered gentian, 3 ounces; powdered nitrate of potash, 3 ounces; mix 
and divide into 12 powders. The administration of purgatives wliich 
promote a watery discharge from the mucous surface of the bowels, 
also tends, by diminishing the serum of the blood, to bring about 
absorption and a gradual removal of the fluid contained in the abdo- 
men. Large doses should not be given, but moderate doses should 
be administered morning and night, so as to produce a laxative effect 
on the bowels for some days. To attain this end the following may 
be used : Sulphate of soda, 8 ounces ; powdered ginger^ half an ounce ; 
mix in 2 quarts of tepid water and then give at one dose. 



I 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. 

Plate I : 

Position of tlie first stomach (pauncti, rumen) on the left side: o, the 
situation of the rumen; 6, the spleen or milt resting on it; c, the skin 
and muscles removed from the ribs to show position of the lungs and 
their relation to the paunch. 
Plate II : 

Fig. 1. Stomach of a full-grown sheep, i natural size. After Thanhofifer, 
from R. Meade Smith's Physiology of Domestic Animals : a, rumen, 
or first stomach ; b, reticulum, or second stomach ; c, omasum, or third 
stomach ; d, abomasum, or fourth stomach ; e, esophagus, or gullet, 
opening into first and second stomachs; /, opening of fourth stomach 
into small intestine; g, opening of second stomach into third; h, open- 
ing of third stomach into fourth. 
The lines indicate the course of the food in the stomachs. The incom- 
pletely masticated food passes down the esophagus, or gullet, into the 
first and second stomachs, in which a churning motion is kept up, 
carrying the food fi'om side to side and from stomach to stomach. 
From the first stomach regurgitation takes place; that is, the food is 
returned through the gullet to the mouth to be more thoroughly mas- 
ticated, or chewed, and this constitutes what is known as " chewing 
the cud." From the second stomach the food passes into the third, and 
from the third into the fourth, or true, stomach, and from there into 
the intestines. 
Fig. 2. Stomach of ox. After Colin, from R. Meade Smith's Physiology of 
Domestic Animals : a, rumen ; 6, reticulum ; c, omasum ; d, abomasum ; 
e, esophagus; /, opening of fourth stomach into small intestine. 
Fiirstenberg calculated that in an ox of 1,400 pounds weight the capacity of 
the stomach is as follows : 

Per cent. 

Rumen, 149.25 quarts, liquid measure 62. 4 

Reticulum, 23.77 quarts 10 

Omasum, 36.98 quarts 15 

Abomasum, 29.05 quarts 12.6 

According to Colon— Quarts. 

The capacity of a beef's stomach is 266. 81 

Small intestine 69.74 

Cecumt 9. 51 

Colon and rectum 25. 58 

Plate III : 

Fig. 1. Clinical thermometer, f natural size. This is used to determine the 
temperature of the animal body. The thermometer is passed into the 
rectum after having been moistened with a little saliva from the mouth, 

51 



52 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Plate III — Continued. 

or after having had a little oil or lard rubbed upon it to facilitate Its 
passage. There it is allowed to remain two or three minutes, then with- 
drawn, and the temperature read as in any ordinary thermometer. The 
clinical thermometer is made self-registering; that is, the mercury in 
the stem remains at the height to which it was forced by the heat of 
the body until it is shaken back into the bulb by taking hold of the 
upper portion of the instrument and giving it a short, sharp swing. 
The normal temperature of cattle varies from 100° to 103° F. In 
young animals it is somewhat higher than in old. The thermometer 
is a very useful instrument and frequently is the means by which 
disease is detected before the appearance of any external sign. 

Fig, 2. Simple probang, used to dislodge foreign bodies, like apples, potatoes, 
eggs, etc., which have become fastened or stuck in the esophagus, or 
gullet. 

Fig. 3. Grasping or forceps probang. This instrument, also intended to 
remove obstructions from the gullet, has a spring forceps at one end in 
the place of the cup-like arrangement at the end of the simple probang. 
The forceps are closed while the probang is being introduced ; their 
blades are regulated by a screw in the handle of the instrument. This 
probang is used to grasp and withdraw an article which may have 
lodged in the gullet and cannot be forced into the stomach by use of 
the simple probang. 

Fig. 4. Wooden gag, used when the probang is to be passed. The gag is a 
piece of wood which fits in the animal's mouth ; a cord passes over the 
head to hold it in place. The central opening in the wood is intended 
for the passage of the probang. 

Figs. 5« and 5b. Trocar and cannula ; 5a shows the trocar covered by the 
cannula ; 5&, the cannula from which the trocar has been withdrawn. 
This instrument is used when the rumen or first stomach becomes 
distended with gas. The trocar covered by the cannula is forced into 
the rumen, the trocar withdrawn, and the cannula allowed to remain 
until the gas has escaped. 

Fig. 6. Section at right angles through the abdominal wall, showing a 
hernia or rupture. Taken from D'Aboi'val, Diet, de Med., de Chir. et 
de Hyg. : a a, The abdominal muscles cut across; v, opening in the 
abdominal wall permitting the intestines i i to pass through and out- 
ward between the abdominal wall and the skin; p /), peritoneum, or 
membrane lining the abdominal cavity, catried through the opening 
o by the loop of intestine and forming the sac S, the outer walls of 
which are marked h f h. 
Plate IV : 

Fig. 1. The liver is composed of innumerable small lobules, from ^V to ^ 
inch in diameter. The lobules are held together by a small amount of 
fibrous tissue in which the bile ducts and larger blood vessels are 
lodged. Fig. 1 of the diagram illustrates the sti'ucture of a lobule; 
V 11, interlobular veins or the veins between the lobules. These are 
branches of the portal vein, which carries blood from the stomach and 
intestines to the liver; c c, capillaries, or very fine blood vessels, extend- 
ing as a very fine network between the groups of liver cells from the 
interlobular vein to the center of the lobule and emptying there into 
the intralobular vein to the center of the lobule; v c, intralobular vein, 
or the vein within the lobule. This vessel passes out of the lobule and 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate 







Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate II. 




J/<n<?i€'i'. m/'. 



Stomach of Ruminant. 



Diseases of Cattle . 



Plate hi. 










m -m-^ SH 



us 8IEN CO-N- 



INSTRUMENTS USED IN TREATING DISEASES OF DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 



Diseases or Cattle. 



Plate IV. 




Microscopic Anatomy of the Liver. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate v . 



I 




Marx fvoia Natm^e. 



JS BtEN CO. I 



Ergot in Hay. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate vi 




Marx, from nature 



JULIUS BIEN CO N^ 



Ergotism. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 53 

Plate IV — Continued. 

there becomes the sublobular vein ; v s, snblobular vein. This joins 
other similar veins and helps to form the hepatic vein, through which 
the blood leaves the liver ; d d, the position of the liver cells between 
the meshes of the capillaries; A A, branches of the hepatic artery to 
the interlobular connective tissue and the walls of the large veins and 
large bile ducts. These branches are seen at r r, and form the vena 
vascularis; v v, vena vascularis; i I, branches of the hepatic artery 
entering the substance of the lobule and connecting with capillaries 
from the interlobular vein. The use of the hepatic artery is to nourish 
the liver, while the other vessels carry blood to be modified by the liver 
cells in certain important directions; g, branches of the bile ducts, 
carryiTig bile from the various lobules into the g;ill bladder and into the 
intestines; x x, intralobular bile capillaries between the liver cells. 
These form a network of very minute tubes surrounding each ultimate 
cell which receives the bile as it is formed by the liver cells and carried 
outward as described. 
Fig. 2. Isolated liver cells : c, blood capillary ; a, fine bile capillary channel. 

Plate V : 

Appearance of ergot in hay : 1, blue grass ; 2, timothy ; 3, wild rye; 4, red top. 
Ergot is a fungus which may affect any member of the grass family. The 
spore of the fungus, by some means brought in contact with the unde- 
veloped seed of the grass, grows, obliterates the seed, and practically 
takes its place. When hay affected with ergot is fed to animals it is 
productive of a characteristic and serious affection or poisoning known 
as ergotism. 

Plate VI : 

Illustrates the effects of ergot. The lower part of the limb of a cow, show- 
ing the loss of skin and flesh in a narrow ring around the pastern bone, 
and the exposure of the bone itself. 



POISONS AND POISONING. 

By V. T. Atkinson, V. S. 

[Revised in 1904 by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.] 

DEFINITION OF A POISON, 

To clearly define the meaning of the word " poison " would be some- 
what difficult. Even in law the word has never been defined, and 
when a definition is attempted we are apt to include either too much 
or too little. The following is perhaps as satisfactory a definition 
as may be given : A poison is a chemical substance having an inher- 
ent deleterious property rendering it capable in small quantities of 
producing serious functional disturbances upon gaining access to 
the system by the usual channels; or it is a substance which, when 
introduced into the system or applied externally, injures health or 
destroys life irrespective of mechanical means or thennal changes. 
The common conception of a poison is any substance which, in small 
quantity, will destroy life, except such as act by purely mechanical 
means, as, for example, powdered glass. 

Some substances that are not usually looked upon as poisons may 
destroy life if given in large doses, such as common salt. Other sub- 
stances which are perfectly harmless when taken into the body in 
the usual way are poisons if injected into the circulation, such as 
distilled water, milk, or glycerin. Living organisms are not " chem- 
ical substances," and are not considered in this connection. 

SOURCES OF POISONING. 

Poisoning may come from many causes, among the chief of which 
are the following: 

(1) Ei^ors in medication. — By using the wrong substance or too 
large dose an animal may be poisoned. 

(2) The exposure of foisons nsed for horticultural^ technical^ or 
other legitimate purposes. — Poisons used for spraying plants, disin- 
fecting, poisoning vermin, dipping sheep, painting, smelting, dyeing, 
or other purposes may be so handled as to come within the reach of 
animals. 

54 



POISONS AND POISONING. 55 

(3) Damaged food. — Food that has undergone putrefaction or cer- 
tain kinds of fermentation or heating, or food that is infested with 
insects, may have become poisonous, producing forage poisoning, meat 
poisoning, cheese poisoning, etc. 

(4) Poisonous plants in the pasture or forage. 

(5) The hite or sting of a poisonous insect or the hite of an animal. 

(6) Malicious poisoning. 

THE ACTION OF POISONS. 

This may be either local, and exerted directly on the tissues with 
which they come in contact, or remote, acting through the circula- 
tion or the nervous system ; or both local and remote action may be 
exerted by the same drug. Poisons which act locally generally either 
destroy by corrosion the tissues with which they come in contact or 
by inhalation set up acute inflammation. Wlien any corrosive agent 
is taken into the stomach in poisonous quantities, a group of symp- 
toms is developed which is common to all. The tissues with which 
the agent comes in contact are destroyed, sloughing and acute inflam- 
mation of the surrounding structures take place ; intense pain in the 
abdomen and death ensue. In a like manner, but with less rapidity, 
the same result is reached if the agent used be not of a sufficiently 
corrosive nature to destroy the tissues, but sufficiently irritating to set 
up acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. 
If the poison exerts a remote influence alone, the action is quite differ- 
ent, little or no local effect being produced upon the digestive organs. 

To produce an effect on some part of the body distant from the 
channel of entrance, a poison must have been absorbed and carried 
in the blood to the central nervous system or other region involved. 
The poisonous effect of any substance is modified by the quantity 
used; by its chemical combinations; by the part of the animal struc- 
ture with which it comes in contact ; by the physical condition of the 
subject; and also by the rapidity with which the poison is excreted. 
As an illustration, opium may be given with safety in much larger 
doses to an animal suffering from acute pain than to one free from 
pain, and to an adult animal with greater safety than to a young one. 
The rapidity with which the poison is absorbed, owing to the part of 
the body with which it is brought in contact, is also an important 
factor. So marked is this quality that some agents which have the 
power of destroying life with almost absolute certainty when intro- 
duced beneath the skin, may be taken into the stomach without caus- 
ing inconvenience, as curara, the arrow poison, or the venomous se- 
cretion of the snake. Other agents in chemical combination may 
tend to intensify, lessen, or wholly neutralize the poisonous effect. 
For example, arsenic in itself has well-marked poisonous properties, 



56 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

but when brought in contact with dialyzed iron it forms an insoluble 
compound and becomes innocuous. Idiosyncrasies are not so notice- 
able in cattle practice as in practice among human beings, but the 
uncertainty with which some drugs exert their influence would lead 
us to believe that well-marked differences in susceptibility exist. 
Even in some cases a tolerance for poison is engendered, so that in a 
herd of animals equally exposed injurious or fatal effects do not 
appear with uniformity. For example, among cattle that are com- 
pelled to drink water holding in solution a salt of lead the effects of 
the poisoning will be found varying all the way from fatality to 
imperceptibility. 

GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF POISONING. 

It is not always easy to differentiate between poisoning and some 
disease. Indeed, examination during the life of the animal is some- 
times wholly inadequate to the formation of an opinion as to whether 
the case is one of poisoning or, if it is, as to what the poison may be. 
A chemical and physical examination after the death of the animal 
may be necessary to clear up the doubt. On the other hand, the 
symptoms may be of such a nature as to point unmistakably to poi- 
soning with a certain agent. In general, the following classes of 
symptoms may be regarded as indicative of poisoning : Sudden onset 
of the disease without visible cause, a number of animals similarly 
affected at once, severe gastro-intestinal disorder or derangement of 
the nervous system, or both. Sudden alteration of heart action in 
relation to frequency, force, or rhythm. Local irritation, dyspnea, 
or change in the urine or urination. 

After death lesions of the greatest variety may be found, and it is 
necessary for one to be skilled in anatomy and pathology to determine 
their significance. Oftentimes the stomach and intestines are red, 
have thick walls, and contain blood. This signifies a severe irritant, 
such as arsenic or corrosive sublimate. Other alterations sometimes 
found are inflammation of the kidneys or bladder, points of hemor- 
rhage in various organs, changes in the blood, congestion of the lungs, 
and certain microscopic changes. 

GENERAL TREATMENT. 

The treatment of animals suffering from poison must vary accord- 
ing to the nature of the toxic agent. There are a few general plans 
of action, however, which should be followed so far as possible. In 
man and in some of the smaller animals it is possible to eliminate 
unabsorbed poison by the use of the stomach pump or by causing 
vomiting. These proceedings are impracticable in cattle. It is 
well, therefore, in many cases to endeavor to expel the unabsorbed 



POISONS AND POISONING. 57 

poison by emptying the digestive tract, so far as may be, with a non- 
irritating purge. Castor oil in doses of 1 pint to 2 quarts is best 
adapted to this pui^jose. If the poison is known to be nonirritant — 
as a narcotic plant — from 10 to 20 drops of croton oil may be given 
with a quart of castor oil. To protect the mucous membrane from 
the action of strong irritants one may give flaxseed tea, barley water, 
the whites of eggs, milk, butter, olive oil, or fresh lard. Chemical 
antidotes may sometimes be used for special poisons, as advised 
below. In general, if an acid has been taken it may be neutralized 
with an alkali, such as chalk, magnesia, bicarbonate of soda (baking 
soda), ammonia (diluted), or soap. If the poison is an alkali, such 
as caustic soda or potash (lye), or ammonia, an acid, such as diluted 
(1 per cent) sulphuric acid or vinegar, may be administered. Special 
treatments and antidotes are considered below. 

A poisonous agent may be so gradually introduced into the system 
as to slowly develop the power of resistance against its own action. 
In other cases, where the poison is introduced slowly, the poisonous 
action becomes cumulative, and although there is no increase in the 
quantity taken, violent symptoms are suddenly developed, as if the 
whole amount, the consumption of which may have extended over a 
considerable period, had been given in one dose. Other agents, 
poisonous in their nature, tend to deteriorate some of the important 
organs and, interfering with their natural functions, are productive 
of conditions of ill health which, although not necessarily fatal, are 
important. Such a class might properly be called chronic poisons. 
Poisons of themselves dangerous when administered in large doses 
are used medicinally for curative purposes, and a very large percent- 
age of the pharmaceutical preparations used in the practice of medi- 
cine if given in excessive quantities might produce serious results. 
In the administration of medicines, therefore, care should be exer- 
cised not only that the animal is not poisoned by the administration 
of an excessive dose, but that injury is not done by continued treat- 
ment with medicines the administration of which is not called for. 

MINERAL POISONS. 
ARSENIC POISONING. 

Of the common irritant and corrosive poisons, arsenic, especially 
one of its compounds (Paris green, Scheel's green, or cobalt) , is likely 
to be the most dangerous to our class of patients. The common prac- 
tice of using Paris green as an insecticide for the destruction of potato 
beetle and other insect enemies of the farmer and fruit grower has 
had the effect of introducing it into almost all farming establish- 
ments. Wliite arsenic is also a principal ingredient in many of the 
popular sheep- dipping preparations, and poisoning from this source 



58 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

occasionally takes place when, after dipping, the flock are allowed 
to run in a yard in which there is loose fodder. The drippings from 
the wool of the sheep falling on the fodder render it poisonous, and 
dangerous to animal life if eaten. Familiarity with its use has in 
many instances tended to breed contempt for its potency as a poison. 
Rat poisons often contain arsenic. The excessive use of arsenic as a 
tonic, or of " condition powders " containing arsenic, has been the 
means of poisoning many animals. This is the common poison used 
by malicious persons with criminal intent. The poison may also be 
absorbed through wounds or through the skin if used as a dip or bath. 

If a large dose is given, at once acute poisoning is produced; if 
repeated small doses are given, chronic poisoning may result. The 
poisonous dose for an ox is from 3 drams to 1 ounce. 

Sy^nptom^. — The symptoms of acute poisoning first appear as those 
of colic; the animal is restless, stamping with the feet, lying down 
and getting up. There is tenderness on pressure over the abdomen. 
The acute symptoms increase; in a few hours violent diarrhea is 
developed ; in many cases blood and shreds of detached mucous mem- 
brane are mixed with the evacuations. There is irregular and feeble 
pulse and respiration, and death is likely to supervene between the 
eighteenth hour and the third day. If the latter period is passed, 
there is a reasonable hope of recovery. 

In chronic poisoning the symptoms are similar to those of chronic 
gastro-intestinal catarrh, with indigestion, diarrhea, and general 
weakness and loss of condition. 

Treatment. — The antidote for arsenic is a solution of hydrated 
oxid of iron in water. It should be prepared fresh by mixing a solu- 
tion of sulphate of iron, made by dissolving 4 ounces of sulphate of 
iron in one-half pint water with a suspension of 1 ounce of magnesia 
in one-half pint water. This quantity is sufficient for one dose for a 
cow and may be repeated in an hour, if much arsenic was taken. A 
solution of calcined magnesia or powdered iron or iron filings or iron 
scale from a blacksmith's forge may be given in the absence of other 
remedies. Powdered sulphur is of some value as an antidote. One 
must also administer protectives, such as linseed tea, barley water, 
whites of eggs, etc. 

LEAD POISONING. 

Lead poisoning of cattle usually comes from their having licked 
freshly painted surfaces, and thus swallowing compounds containing 
white lead. In several instances cattle have been poisoned by silage 
from a silo painted inside with lead paint shortly before filling. 
Sugar of lead has been administered by mistake for Glauber's salt. 
Lead poisoning may be acute or chronic. The fatal dose of sugar of 
lead is from 1 to 4 ounces. Water drawn from lead pipes or held in 
a lead-lined tank may cause poisoning. 



POISONS AND POISONING. 59 

Symptoms. — Symptoms are generally dullness, lying down with the 
head turned toward the flank, colic, rumbling in the abdomen, loss 
of control of the limbs when walking, twitching, champing of the 
jaws, moving in a circle, convulsions, delirium, violent bellowing, fol- 
lowed by stupor and death. The symptoms generally extend over 
considerable time, but may end in death after 24 hours. 

Treatment. — The treatment should first be directed toward remov- 
ing the cause. A large dose of purgative medicine should be given, 
and the brain symptoms be relieved by giving bromid of potassium in 
half-ounce doses every 4 or 5 hours and the application of cold water 
to the head. Dilute sulphuric acid in half-ounce doses should be 
given with the purgative medicine. In this case sulphate of mag- 
nesia (Epsom salt) is the best purgative, and it may be given in 
doses of from 1 to 2 pounds dissolved in warm water. After the 
acute symptoms have abated, iodid of potassium may be given, in 
doses of 2 drams each, three times a day for a week. 

Chronic lead poisoning occasionally occurs in districts where lead 
mining is the principal industry. The waste products of the mine 
thrown into streams contaminate the water supply, so that the min- 
eral is taken into the system gradually, and a very small per cent of 
any of the salts taken into the system in this way is pernicious. 
Water which contains any salt of lead to the extent of more than 
one-tenth of a grain to the gallon is unfit to drink. Such water when 
used continually is likely to produce colic from the resulting intesti- 
nal irritation, and in aggravated cases paralysis more or less severe 
is likely to be developed. A blue line on the margin of the gums, 
the last symptom, is regarded as diagnostic and its presence as con- 
clusive evidence of the nature of the disorder. The free use of pur- 
gatives is indicated with iodid of potassium. 

Treatment. — No treatment is likely to be of avail until the cause is 
removed. 

COPPER POISONING. 

The soluble salts of copper, though used as a tonic in the medicinal 
treatment of cattle, are poisonous when taken in large quantities. 
Like lead and arsenic, they have an irritant effect upon the mucous 
membrane with which they come in contact in a concentrated form. 
Cattle are not very likely to be poisoned from this cause unless 
through carelessness. The salts of copper — the most common of 
which is the sulphate of copper, commonly called blue vitriol — is 
occasionally used for disinfecting and cleansing stables, where it 
might inadvertently be mixed with the food. It is also used largely 
for making the Bordeaux mixture used in spraying fruit trees. The 
general symptoms produced are those of intestinal irritation, short 
breathing, stamping, and tender abdomen. 



60 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Treatment. — Give powdered iron, or iron reduced by hydrogen, or 
calcined magnesia.* Sulphur may be used. This should be followed 
by a liberal supply of demulcents, linseed infusion, boiled starch, 
whites of eggs, etc. 

ZINC POISONING. 

Several of the soluble salts of zinc are irritant poisons. The 
chlorid and sulphate are those in most common use. In animals 
which have power to vomit they are emetic in their action. In 
others, when retained in the stomach, they set up more or less irri- 
tation of the mucous membrane and abdominal pain, producing 
symptoms already described in the action of other poisons which 
produce the same result. 

Treatment. — The treatment should be the same as for copper poi- 
soning. 

PHOSPrfORUS POISONING. 

Only one of the forms of phosphorus in common use — the ordinary 
yellow — is poisonous. Phosphorus in this form is used for the 
destruction of rats and mice and other vermin, and is largely used 
in the manufacture of matches. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are loss of appetite, colic, diarrhea, 
irritation of the mouth and throat, and paralysis of the throat. 
There is also weakness, difficult breathing, and rapid pulse. The 
course of the poisoning is usually rapid, terminating in either re- 
covery or death within three days. The toxic dose for cattle is from 
5 to 30 grains. If taken in large quantities the excreta are occa- 
sionally noticed to be luminous when examined in the dark. 

Treatment. — Turpentine given in an emulsion with flaxseed tea in 
a single dose of from 2 to 8 ounces. Permanganate of potash may 
be given in a one-fourth of 1 per cent solution. Stimulants, such 
as alcohol and ether, should be administered. Oils and milk must 
not be given. 

MERCURY POISONING. 

Mercury poisoning is not rare in cattle from the fact that these 
animals have a special susceptibility to the action of this substance. 
Antiseptic washes or injections containing the bichlorid of mercury 
(corrosive sublimate) must be used on cattle with great care. Mer- 
curial disinfecting solutions or salves must be used cautiously. 
Calomel can not be given freely to cattle. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are salivation, sore mouth, indiges- 
tion, diarrhea, skin eruption, paralysis of local groups of muscles, 
and nephritis. 

Treatment. — The treatment consists in administering sulphur in 
large doses (2 to 4 ounces) or iron powder. Both make insoluble 
compounds with mercury. Follow with the whites of eggs mixed 



POISONS AND POISONING. 61 

with water and with linseed tea. If the case does not terminate 
promptly, give iodid of potash in 1-dram doses twice daily. 

POISONING BY ACIDS. 

Mineral acids. — The mineral acids — nitric, sulphuric, hydrochlo- 
ric, etc. — when used in a concentrated form destroy the animal 
tissues with which they cbme in contact, and in this respect differ 
from most of the poisons previously described. Wlien taken into 
the stomach the mucous membrane of the mouth, pharynx, esoi^hagus, 
and stomach is apt to be more or less completely destroyed. If taken 
in large quantities death is likely to result so speedily that nothing 
can be done to relieve the patient, and even if time is allowed and the 
action of the acid can be arrested it can not be done until consider- 
able and, perhaps, irreparable damage has been done. The mucous 
membrane with which the acid has come in contact in the esophagus 
may be destroyed by its corrosive action and carried away, leaving 
the muscular tissues exposed. The raw surface heals irregularly, 
the cicatrice contracting causes stricture, and an animal so injured 
is likely to die of starvation. In the stomach even greater damage 
is likely to be done. The peristaltic action of the esophagus carries 
the irritant along quickly, but here it remains quiet in contact with 
one surface, destroying it. It is likely to perforate the organ and, 
coming in contact with the abdominal lining or other organ of di- 
gestion, soon sets up a condition that is beyond repair. In a less 
concentrated form, when this is not sufficiently strong to be corrosive, 
it exerts an irritant effect. In this form it may not do much harm 
unless taken in considerable quantity. When thus the mucous 
membrane of the stomach and intestines becomes inflamed, pain and 
diarrhea are likely to result. 

Treatment. — Any of the alkalies may be used as an antidote. 
Most convenient of these are chalk, baking soda, marble dust, mag- 
nesia, lime, soap, or plaster from a wall. Mucilaginous drinks 
should be given in large quantities. 

Vegetable acids. — Oxalic acid in particular is corrosive in its 
action when taken in concentrated solution, losing its corrosive 
effect and becoming irritant when more dilute. It also exerts a 
specific effect on the heart, frequently causing death from syncope. 
Taken in the form either of the crystals or solution it is likely to 
cause death in a very short time. Failure of heart action and the 
attendant small pulse, weakness, staggering, and convulsions are the 
more noticeable symptoms. 

Treatment. — Limewater or lime or plaster should be given 
promptly. Acetic acid is irritant to the gastro-intestinal tract, and 
may cause sudden paralysis of the heart. It should be counteracted 
by the use of alkalies, as advised above, by protectives to the diges- 
tive tract, and by stimulants. 



62 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

POISONING BY ALKALIES. 

The carbonates of potash and soda and the alkalies themselves in 
concentrated form cause symptoms of intestinal irritation similar to 
those jiroduced by mineral acids. Ammonia, caustic soda, and caus- 
tic potash (lye) are those to which animals are most exposed. The 
degree of their caustic irritant effects depends on their degree of 
concentration. When they reach the stomach the symptoms are nearly 
as well marked as in the case of the acids. The irritation is even 
more noticeable, and purgation is likely to be a more prominent 
symptom. If death is not caused soon, the irritation of the gastro- 
intestinal tract and malnutrition will last for a long time. Treatment 
consists in neutralizing the alkali by an acid, such as dilute sulphuric 
acid (1 per cent) or strong vinegar. The administration of such an 
antidote and its action must be carefully watched during adminis- 
tration. In the chemical change which takes place when the acid 
and alkali are combined, carbonic-acid gas is liberated, which may 
be to an extent sufficient to cause considerable distention of the abdo- 
men, even to asphyxia from pressure forward on the diaphragm. 
Should this danger present itself, it may be averted by opening the 
left flank, permitting the gas to escape. (See "Acute tympanites, 
or Bloating," p. 24.) 

Treatment. — Flaxseed or slippery-elm decoction must be given to 
soothe the inflamed mucous surface. Opium may be used to allay 
pain. 

COAL-OIL POISONING. 

Coal oil is sometimes administered empirically as a treatment for 
intestinal parasites. If given in large doses it produces poisonous 
effects, which are likely to be manifest some time after the adminis- 
tration. It acts as an irritant to the digestive tract, causing drib- 
bling of ropy saliva from the mouth, diarrhea, tenesmus, and loss 
of appetite, with increased temperature and cold extremities. Visible 
mucous membranes are injected, pupils of the eyes contracted, watery 
discharge from the eyes and nostrils. Remotely it exerts a depress- 
ing influence on the functions of the brain and slight coma, and occa- 
sionally convulsions, from which the animal is easily aroused. The 
kidneys also suffer. The urine is dark colored and has the charac- 
teristic odor of coal oil. Death may result from gastro-enteritis or 
convulsions. 

Treatment. — The patient's strength should be fostered by the fre- 
quent administration of mild stimulants, of which aromatic spirits 
of ammonia is perhaps the best. The animal should be encouraged 
to eat soft food and given mucilaginous drinks. 



POISONS AND POISONING. 63 

Crude coal oil is sometimes applied to the skin to kill parasites. If 
too much is used, especially in hot weather, great weakness and 
depression may be caused and in some cases death may result. 

CARBOLIC-ACID POISONING. 

Although one of the most valuable antiseptic remedies, carbolic 
acid in a concentrated form, when taken internally or used over a 
large surface externally, is likely to produce poisonous effects. It 
causes whitening, shrinking, and numbness of the structures with 
which it comes in contact, and, besides its irritant effect, exerts a 
powerful influence on the nervous system. Being readily absorbed, 
it produces its effect whether swallowed, injected into the rectum, 
inhaled, or applied to wounds, or even to a large tract of unbroken 
skin. Used extensively as a dressing, it may produce nausea, dizzi- 
ness, and smoky or blackish colored urine. The last symptom is 
nearly always noticeable where the poisonous effect is produced. In 
more concentrated form, or used in larger quantities, convulsions, 
followed by fatal coma, are likely to take place. Even in smaller 
quantities, dullness, trembling, and disinclination for food often 
continues for several days. In a tolerably concentrated solution it 
coagulates albumen and acts as an astringent. 

TreatTnent. — As an antidote internally, a solution of sulphate of 
soda or sulphate of magnesia (Glauber's or Epsom salts) may be given. 
The white of id^^ is also useful. Stimulants may be given if needed. 
When the poisoning occurs through too extensive applications to 
wounds or the skin, as in treatment of mange, cold water should be 
freely applied so as to wash off any of the acid that may still remain 
unabsorbed. As a surgical dressing a 3 per cent solution is strong 
enough for ordinary purposes. Water will not hold more than 5 per 
cent in permanent solution. No preparation stronger than the satu- 
rated solution should be used medicinally under any circumstances. 

SALTPETER POISONING. 

Both nitrate of soda and nitrate of potash are poisonous to cattle. 
These substances are used for manure and for preserving meats. 
They may be administered in a drench by error in place of Glauber's 
salt, or they may be exposed within reach of cattle and thus be eaten. 
The toxic dose depends upon the condition of fullness of the stomach. 
If in solution and given on an empty stomach, as little as 3 ounces of 
saltpeter (nitrate of potash) may be fatal to a cow. More of the 
Chile saltpeter (nitrate of soda) is required to cause serious trouble. 

Symptoms. — Severe gastro-enteritis, colic, tympanites, diarrhea, 
excessive urination, weakness, trembling, convulsions, collapse. 

Treatment. — Same as for poisoning by common salt. 



64 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

POISONING BY COMMON SALT. 

A few pounds (3 to 5) of common salt will produce well-marked 
signs of poisoning in cattle. So much salt as this will not be taken 
by cattle except under unusual conditions. If the food is poor in 
salt, and if none has been given for a long time, an intense " salt hun- 
ger " may occur that may lead an animal to eat a poisonous quantity 
if it is not restricted ; or an overdose of salt may be given by error as 
a drench. 

Herring and mackerel brine and pork pickle are also poisonous, and 
are especially dangerous for hogs. In these substances there are, in 
addition to salt, certain products extracted from the fish or meat 
which undergo change and add to the toxicity of the solution. Some- 
times saltpeter is present in such brines. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are great thirst, abdominal pain, diar- 
rhea, poor appetite, redness and dryness of the mouth, increased uri- 
nation, paralysis of the hind legs, weak pulse, general paralysis, coma, 
and death in from six to eight hours. 

Treatment. — Allow as much warm water as the animal will drink, 
give protectives, such as linseed tea, etc. Linseed or olive oil may 
be given. To keep up the heart action give ether, alcohol, camphor, 
digitalis, or coffee. To allay pain, give opium. 

VEGETABLE POISONS. 

These may be divided into two classes — those that are likely to be 
administered to the animal as medicine or such as may be taken in 
the food, either in the shape of poisonous plants, or as plants or foods 
of vegetable origin that have been damaged by fungi or by bacterial 
action, producing fermentation or putrefaction. 

VEGETABLE POISONS USED AS MEDICINE. 
OPIUM POISONING. 

Opium and its alkaloid, morphia, are so commonly used in the 
practice of medicine that the poisonous result of an overdose is not 
uncommon. The common preparations are giun opium, the inspis- 
sated juice of the poppy; powdered opium, made from the gimi; 
tincture of opium, commonly called laudanum; and the alkaloid or 
active principle, morphia. Laudanum has about one-eighth the 
strength of the gum or powder. Morphia is present in good opium 
to the extent of about 10 per cent. In medicine it is a most useful 
agent in allaying pain. It has an effect of first producing a stimulat- 
ing action, which is followed by drowsiness, a disposition to sleep or 
complete anesthesia, depending on the quantity of the drug used. 
In poisonous doses a state of exhilaration is well marked at first. 
This is particularly noticeable in cattle and in horses. The animal 
becomes much excited, and this stage does not pass into insensibility 



POISONS AND POISONING. 65 

unless an enormous close has been given. If the dose is large enough, 
a second stage sometimes supervenes, in which the symptoms are 
those of congestion of the brain. The visible membranes have a blu- 
ish tint (cyanotic) from interference with the air supply. The 
breathing is sIoav, labored, and later stertorous; the pupils of the eyes 
are very much contracted ; the skin dry and warm. Gas accumulates 
in the stomach, so that tympanites is a prominent symptom. The 
patient may be aroused by great noise or the infliction of sharp ]5ain, 
when the breathing becomes more natural. A relapse into the coma- 
tose condition takes place when the excitement ceases. Later, there 
is perfect coma and the patient can no longer be aroused from the 
insensible condition. The contraction of the pupil becomes more 
marked, the breathing intermittent and slower, there is perspiration, 
the pulse more feeble and rapid, till death takes place. Poisoning of 
cattle with opium or its products rarely goes beyond the stage of 
excitement, because the quantity of the drug required for the later 
effects is so great. Seventy-five grains of morphia administered sub- 
cutaneously has sufficed merely to excite for 12 hours. 

Treatment. — Give strong coffee, 1 to 4 quarts, aromatic spirits of 
ammonia or carbonate of ammonia. Atropia is the physiological 
antidote. 

STRYCHNIN POISONING. 

Strychnin is a very concentrated poison and produces its effect 
very quickly, usually only a few minutes being necessary if given in 
sufficient dose and in such a way that it will be at once absorbed. 
The first noticeable symptom is evidence of unrest or mental excite- 
ment ; at the same time the muscles over the shoulder and croup may 
be seen to quiver or twitch, and later there occurs a more or less well- 
marked convulsion; the head is jerked back, the back arched and 
leg extended, the eyes drawn. The spasm continues for only a few 
minutes, when it relaxes and another occurs in a short time. The 
return is hastened by excitement and in a short time again disap- 
pears, continuing to disappear and reappear until death results. As 
the poisonous effect advances the intervals between the spasms be- 
come shorter and less marked and the spasms more severe until the 
animal dies in violent struggles. 

Treatment. — The best method is to put the patient under the influ- 
ence of chloral, chloroform, or ether, and keep it there continuously 
until the effect of the poison has passed off. Alcohol may be given 
in large doses. 

ACONITE POISONING. 

In recent years tincture of aconite has for some unknown reason 
become a popular stable remedy. In the hands of some breeders it 
seems to be used as a panacea for all the ills flesh is heir to. If an 
16923°— 12 5 



66 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

animal is ailing, aconite is given whether indicated or not. Fortu- 
nately the dose used is generally small, and for this reason the dam- 
age done is much less than it would otherwise be. Aconite is one of 
the most deadly poisons known. It produces paralysis of motion and 
sensation, depresses the heart's action, and causes death by paralysis 
of respiration. In large doses it causes profuse salivation, champing 
of the jaws, and attempts at swallowing. If not sufficient to cause 
death, there is impaired appetite with more or less nausea for some 
time after. In poisonous doses it causes the animal to tremble vio- 
lently, to lose power to support itself, and it brings on slight con- 
vulsions, with perspiration. The pulse is depressed, irregular, and 
afterwards intermittent. 

Treatment. — The chemical antidote is tannic acid, which forms an 
insoluble compound with the aconitin. The depressing effect on the 
heart should be counteracted by the use of ammonia, digitalis, alcohol, 
camphor, or other diffusible stimulants, which have a physiological 
effect opposite to aconite. 

TURPENTINE POISONING. 

Many conifers, but especially some species of pines, contain tur- 
pentine. In winter and early spring the ends of the branches of 
such trees may be eaten by cattle. If a sufficient quantity is con- 
sumed, poisoning may result. 

Symptoins. — The symptoms signify more or less severe irritation of 
the digestive and urinary tracts. There is poor appetite, abdominal 
pain, emaciation, dark urine, which may contain blood, difficulty in 
passing urine, constrained attitude, and sensitiveness to pressure 
over the loins. Later there may be excitation followed by depression 
of the nervous system. 

Treatment. — Change food. Give linseed tea, barley gruel, or slip- 
pery-elm bark infusion. For the excitement give chloral hydrate or 
bromid of potash. 

DIETETIC POISONS. 

A small but important group of poisons may be classed under this 
head. In some cases it is poison naturally belonging to the plant; in 
other cases the poisonous principle is developed in what would other- 
wise be harmless plants as a plant disease, or as a fermentation or 
putrefaction due to bacterial growth and observed in forage, grain, or 
meal that has heated, become damaged, or " spoilt." 

Loco WEED POISONING. — The " loco weed " is a term applied to legu 
minous plants of several genera, all of which are supposed to have 
certain similar effects on horses and cattle. It is found on the Plains 
and in the natural pastures of some of our Western States. The 



POISONS AND POISONING. 67 

plant grows on high, gravelly, or sandy soil. It has a rather 
attractive appearance, and retains its soft, pale green color all winter. 
Of one of the most common species {Astragalus mollisshriMs) it 
may be said that a mass of leaves 4 to 10 inches high grow from the 
very short stem. The leaves are pinnate, similar in form to those of 
a locust tree, with ten pairs of leaflets and an odd terminal one. The 
flower scape grows from the center of the plant. The flowers, shaped 
like pea blossoms, appear in June or July, and are yellow tinted with 
violet. The seeds are contained in a pod about half an inch long. 
It is said that a stalk-boring larva has attacked the plant and seems 
to be doing much toward eradicating it. 

Horses and cattle seem to acquire a taste for loco weeds, although 
it is not a plant that would be considered as a food or that would be 
eaten with a relish the first time. In the early spring, when herbage 
is scarce, its green appearance may attract the animal, and the habit 
of eating it be thus acquired. Its effect is not noticeable till a con- 
siderable quantity has been eaten. It seems to exert its influence on 
the nervous system. The gait is slow and measured, the step high, 
the eyes glassy and staring, the vision defective. Sudden excitement 
will frequently produce convulsions, which, if the disease is well 
advanced, have a temporarily prostrating effect upon the animal. 
Although loco poisoning is a nervous affection, emaciation is one of 
the most noticeable symptoms. The taste for the weed becomes 
stronger, the victim preferring it to other food. When it is taken in 
large quantities delirium is produced and the animal becomes vicious. 
If the cause be removed before too much injury is done, recovery is 
likely to take place. 

Treatment. — Medicinal treatment seems to be of little avail. Com- 
fortable stabling, quiet, and a liberal supply of wholesome food tend 
to counteract the poisonous effect of the plant and build up the 
depleted forces. 

Laurel poisoning. — The mountain laurel, the rhododendron, and 
the bay tree are poisonous for cattle. The foliage of these plants is 
most likely to be eaten in the late winter or spring, when there is 
little forage available. The effect is to cause great mental excite- 
ment, salivation, retching, colic, diarrhea, nerve exhaustion, and 
paralysis. 

Treatment. — The treatment consists in administering protectives to 
soothe the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, and stimulants to keep 
up the action of the heart and general strength. For this purpose 
one may use coffee, whisky, or ammonia. 

Other poisonous plants. — Other poisonous plants are the box, 
wat«r hemlock, equisetum, lupine (under special conditions), tobacco, 
green acorns (when eaten in excessive quantities by horses or cattle), 



68 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

green sorghum and Kafir corn forage (when stunted or frosted), lily 
of the valley, aconite, oleander, jimson weed, green potatoes and po- 
tato sprouts, and poison rye grass {Lolium temulentum) . 

Ergotism. — The poisonous effects of ergot (Pis. V, VI) appear 
chiefly in the winter and spring of the year and among cattle. It is 
developed among grasses grown on rich soil in hot, damp seasons. 
Rye seems more liable to ergot than any of our other crops. Of the 
grasses which enter into the composition of hay, bluegrass is the 
most likely to become affected. Ergot may also affect redtop, oats, 
grasses, and grains. On the plant the fungus manifests itself on the 
seeds, w^here it is easily recognized when the hay is examined in the 
mow. The ergotized seeds are several times larger than the natural 
seeds — hard, black, and generally curved in shape. 

The effect of the jDrotracted use of ergot in the food is pretty well 
understood to be that of producing a degeneration and obstruction of 
the smaller arterial branches. The result is to shut off the blood sup- 
ply to the distal parts of the body, where the circulation is weakest, 
and thus to produce a mummification or dry gangrene of the extrem- 
ities, as the ears, tail, feet, etc. Cattle seem to be more susceptible 
than other animals to the influence of ergot, possibly on account of 
the slowness of the heart's action. When the effect of the poison has 
become sufficient to entirely arrest the circulation in any part, the 
structures soon die. The disorder manifests itself as lameness in one 
or more limbs ; swelling about the ankle which may result in only a 
small slough or the loss of a toe, but it may circumscribe the limb at 
any point below the knee or hock by an indented ring, below w^iich 
the tissues become dead. The indentation soon changes to a crack, 
which, like it, extends completely round the limb, forming the line 
of separation between the dead and living structures. The crack 
deepens till the parts below drop off without loss of blood, and fre- 
quently with very little pus. Ergot may cause serious irritation of 
the digestive tract, or by acting upon the nervous system it may cause 
lethargy or paralysis. It also operates to cause contraction of the 
uterus, and may thus cause abortion. 

Treatment. — Regarding the treatment, change of food and local 
antiseptics are, of course, indicated. The former may be useful as a 
preventive, but when the symptoms have appeared the animal is nec- 
essarily so completely saturated that recovery is likely to be tedious. 
Tannin may be given internally in doses of one-half dram twice daily 
for a few days to neutralize the unabsorbed alkaloids of the ergot. 
At the same time give castor oil. To dilate the blood vessels give 
chloral hydrate. Bathe the affected parts with hot water. If slough- 
ing has gone far, amputation must be resorted to. 



POISONS AND POISONING. 69 



OTHER POISONOUS FUNUI. 



Many other fungi poison herbivora. In some instances, however, 
where fungi are blamed for causing disease their presence on the 
foodstuff or herbage is but coincidental with some other and more 
potent disease-producing factor. For example, if the conditions are 
favorable to the gi^owth of fungi they are also favorable to the 
growth of bacteria, and bacteria may produce poisons in foods. In 
general it may be said that any food that is moldy, musty, or putrid 
is possibly dangerous. Silage, properly cured, does not belong to this 
class, because the curing of silage is not a bacterial process. But 
spoiled silage and silage matted with mold is dangerous and should 
not be fed. 

POISONING BY ANIMAL PRODUCTS. 
SNAKE BITES. 

The poison contained in the tooth glands of certain A^enomous rep- 
tiles, particularly some of the snakes, which is injected into or under 
the skin of an animal bitten by the reptile, is a very powerful agent. 
It is likely to produce a serious local irritation, and in the case of the 
more poisonous snakes serious constitutional disturbances, even to 
causing death, which it may do in either of two ways: First, when 
very strong, by exerting a narcotic influence similar to that of some of 
the powerful poisons, checking heart action. Second, by diffused 
inflammation of the areolar tissue, gangrene, and extensive sloughing. 

SymptoTm.— The symptoms of snake bite are a local swelling caused 
by an intense local inflammation, pricks showing where the fangs 
penetrated, depression, weakness, feeble pulse, difficult breathing, 
bluish discoloration of the visible mucous membranes, stupor, or con- 
vulsions. If the poison is not powerful or plentiful enough to pro- 
duce death, it is, at any rate, likely to cause severe local abscesses or 
sloughs. 

Treatment. — The treatment may be divided into local and general. 
Locally eveiy effort should be made to prevent absorption of the 
poison. If discovered at once the bitten part had better be excised. 
If that is impracticable and a ligature can be applied, as in the case 
of a bite to one of the limbs, no time should be lost in applying it 
above the injury. It should be made sufficiently tight to so far as 
possible arrest circulation in the bitten part. The wound should be 
freely incised, so that it will bleed freely, and the poison should be 
extracted by cupping or pressed out by squeezing with the fingers. 
Permanganate of potash in 5 per cent solution should be applied to 
and injected into the wound. The depressing effect of the poison on 
the general system should be counteracted by liberal drenching with 
stimulants, such as alcohol, coffee, digitalis, or the aromatic spirits or 



70 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

carbonate of ammonia. In animal practice the alcoholic stimulants 
and local treatment above described are likely to meet with best suc- 
cess. A sj^ecial antitoxin for use in treating snake bite is now pre- 
pared and may be had from the leading druggists. It is quite eifective 
if used i^romptly. 

WASP AND BEE STINGS. 

Wasps and bees secrete a poisonous substance which they are able 
to insert through the skin of an animal by the aid of their sharp 
stings. This poison is a severe local irritant, and may even cause 
local gangrene. It also has a depressing effect upon the central 
nervous system, and destroys the red-blood corpuscles. To produce 
these general effects it must be introduced in very large quantities, as 
when an animal is stung by a swarm of bees or wasps. 

Treatment. — The treatment is to wash the parts with diluted am- 
monia or permanganate of potash solution and to give stimulants 
internally. If there is so much swelling about the head and nostrils 
as to interfere with breathing, tracheotomy may be necessary. 

POISONING BY INSECTS ON THE FORAGE. 

Cattle grazing on forage heavily infested with caterpillars have 
been known to develop acute indigestion, colic, and, in a few cases, 
to die as a result of this poisoning. Plant lice cause irritation of the 
mouth and throat if eaten in large numbers. Some insects secrete a 
chemical poison which, taken in this way, causes serious digestive 
disturbance. 

POISONING WITH SPANIiSH FLY. 

Spanish fly, in the form of powdered cantharides, may be given in 
an overdose, or when applied as a blister to too large a surface of 
skin enough may be absorbed to poison. If given by the mouth it 
causes severe irritation of the gastro-intestinal tract, shown by saliva- 
tion, sore throat, colic, bloody diarrhea, etc. It also produces, whether 
given by the mouth or absorbed through the skin, irritation of the 
urinary tract, as shown by frequent and painful urination. If death 
rasults it is due to respiratory paralysis. 

Treatment. — Give protectives and the white of ^g'g.^ with opium. 
Do not give oils or alcohol. 



DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, 
AND LYMPHATICS. 

By ,W. H. Habbaugh, V. S. 
[Revised in 1904 by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.] 

The heart, blood vessels, and lymphatics may be described as the 
circulatory apparatus. 

The heart is located in the thoracic cavity (chest). It is conical in 
form, with the base or large part uppermost, while the apex, or point, 
rests just above the sternum (breastbone). It is situated between 
the right and left lungs, the apex inclining to the left, and owing to 
this circumstance the heart beats are best felt on the left side of the 
chest, behind the elbow. The heart may be considered as a hollow 
muscle, containing four compartments, two on each side. The upper 
compartments are called auricles and the lower ones are called ven- 
tricles. The right auricle and ventricle are completely separated 
from the left auricle and ventricle by a thick septum or wall, so that 
there is no communication between the right and left sides of the 
heart. 

At the bottom of each auricle is the auriculo-ventricular opening, 
each provided with a valve to close it when the heart contracts to 
force the blood into the arteries. In the interval between the con- 
tractions these valves hang down into the ventricles. 

The muscular tissue of the heart belongs to that claso known as 
involuntary, because its action is not controlled by the will. 

The cavities of the heart are lined by serous membrane, called the 
endocardium. The endocardium may be considered as continued into 
the veins and the arteries, forming their internal lining. The walls 
of the ventricles are thicker than those of the auricles, and the walls 
of the left ventricle are much thicker than those of the right. 

The heart is enveloped by a fibrous sac (or bag), called the pericar- 
dium, which assumes much of the general shape of the outer surface 
of the heart. 

The action of the heart is similar to that of a pump and its function 
is to keep the blood in circulation. The auricles may be considered as 
the reservoirs or receivers of thfe blood and the ventricles as the pump 
chambers. During the interval between contractions, the heart being 
in momentary repose, the blood pours into the auricles from the 
veins; the auriculo-ventricular orifices being widely open, the ven- 
tricles also receive blood ; the auricles contract and the ventricles are 

71 



72 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

filled; contraction of the ventricles follows; the aiiriculo-ventricular 
valves are forced up by the pressure of the blood and close the aiiric- 
ulo-ventricular openings and prevent the return of blood into the 
auricles; the contraction of the ventricles forces the blood from the 
right ventricle into the lungs through the pulmonary artery and its 
branches, and from the left ventricle into the aorta and all parts of 
the body through the art-eries. After the contraction of the ven- 
tricles the heart is again in momentary repose and being filled with 
blood, while the valves in the aorta and pulmonary artery close to 
prevent the return of blood into the ventricles. (See PI. VII.) 

The average weight of the heart of an ox is said to be from 3| to 5 
pounds; but, of course, the weight must be very variable in different 
animals, owing to the many breeds and sizes of cattle. 

The vessels that convey the blood from the heart to all parts of 
the body are called arteries; the vessels which return the blood to 
the heart are called veins. Between the ultimate ramifications of the 
arteries and the beginning of the veins there is an intermediate sys- 
tem of very minute vessels called capillaries, which connect the 
arterial with the venous system of the circulation. The walls of the 
arteries are possessed of a certain amount of rigidity, sufficient to 
keep the tubes open when they are empty. 

The blood leaves the left ventricle through a single vessel, the com- 
mon aorta, which divides into the anterior and posterior aortas, which 
in turn give off the large arteries. 

The arteries divide and subdivide (like the branches of a tree), 
become smaller and smaller, and ultimately ramify into every part of 
the body, terminating in a network of very small tubes called capil- 
laries, which can only be recognized by the aid of a microscope. The 
capillaries terminate in veins. 

The veins take the blood from the capillaries in all parts of the 
bod3\ They begin in very small tubes, which unite to become larger 
in size and less in number as they approach the heart. 

In its course an artery is usually accompanied by a vein and in 
many situations by a nerve. The more important arteries are placed 
deep within the body; but in those cases where they are superficial 
they are generally found where least exposed to injury, as, for exam- 
ple, on the inner side of the legs. Arteries are less numerous than 
veins, and the total capacity of the arteries is much less than that of 
the veins. A great number of veins are in the tissue immediately 
beneath the skin, and these are not generally accompanied by arteries. 

The blood throughout its course, in the heart, arteries, capillaries, 
and A'eins, is inclosed within these vessels. There is no opening into 
the course of the blood, except where the large lymphatics empty into 
the venous blood. 



DISEASES OF HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 73 

All the arteries, except the pulmonary artery and its branches, 
carry bright-red blood, and all the veins, except the pulmonary veins, 
carry dark-red blood. The impure dark-red blood is collected from 
the capillary vessels and carried to the right auricle by the veins; it 
passes down into the right ventricle and thence into the pulmonary 
artery, and through its branches to the capillaries of the lungs, where 
the carbonic-acid gas ancLother impurities are given up to the air in 
the air cells of the lungs (through the thin walls between the capilla- 
ries and the air cells), and where it also absorbs from the air the 
oxygen gas necessary to sustain life, which changes it to the bright- 
red, pure blood. It passes from the capillaries to the branches of 
the pulmonary veins, which convey it to the left auricle of the heart ; 
it then passes through the auriculo-ventricular opening into the left 
ventricle, the contraction of which forces it through the common 
aorta into the posterior and anterior aortas, and through all the 
arteries of the body into the capillaries, where it parts with its 
oxygen and nutritive elements and where it absorbs carbonic-acid 
gas and becomes dark colored. (See theoretical diagram of the 
circulation, PI. VII.) 

The branches of certain arteries in different parts unite again after 
subdividing. This reuniting is called anastomosing, and assures a 
quota of blood to a part if one of the anastomosing arteries should be 
tied in case of hemorrhage, or should be destroyed by accident or 
operation. 

BLOOD. 

The various kinds of food, after being digested in the alimentary 
canal, are absorbed and carried into the blood b}^ the lymphatics, and 
by the blood to the places where nutrition is required. The blood 
takes from all parts of the body all that is useless and no longer 
required, and carries it to the different organs where it is eliminated 
froni the body. It contains within itself all the elements which 
nourish the body. 

The blood may be considered a fluid holding in solution certain 
inorganic elements and having certain bodies suspended in it. To 
facilitate description, the blood may be considered as being made up 
of the corpuscles and the liquor sanguinis. The corpuscles are of 
two kinds, the red and the white, the red being the most numerous. 
The color of the blood is due to the coloring matter in the red cor- 
puscles. The red corpuscles are the oxygen carriers. Both kinds 
are very minute bodies, which require the aid of the microscope to 
recognize them. The liquor sanguinis is composed of water contain- 
ing in solution salts, albumen, and the elements of fibrin. 

The lymphatics, or absorbents, are the vessels which carry the 
lymph and chyle in the blood. They begin as capillaries in aU parts 



74 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

of the body, gradually uniting to form larger trunks. Placed along 
the course of the lymphatic vessels are glands, and in some situations 
these glands are collected into groups ; for example, in the groin, etc. 
These glands are often involved in inflammation arising from the 
absorjDtion of deleterious matter. 

Absorption is the function of the lymphatics. The liquor san- 
guinis passes from the blood capillaries to supply nutrition to the 
tissues. All excess of the liquor sanguinis that is not required is 
absorbed by the lymphatic vessels and conveyed back to the blood by 
the Ij^mphatic ducts. The lymphatics which proceed from the intes- 
tines convey the chyle into the blood during digestion. As a rule, 
the lymphatic vessels follow the course of the veins. All of the ab- 
sorbent vessels convey their contents to the thoracic duct and right 
great lymphatic vein, which empty into the anterior vena cava, 
where the lymph and chyle mix with the venous blood, and thus 
maintain the supply of nutritive elements in the blood. 

PULSE. 

As fully explained, the heart pumps the blood throughout the arte- 
rial system. The arteries are always full and each contraction of 
the ventricle pumps more blood into them, which distends their elastic 
walls and sends a wave along them which gradually becomes less per- 
ceptible as it nears the very small arteries, and is lost before the 
capillaries are reached. This wave constitutes the pulse. The sen- 
sation or impression given to the finger when placed upon the artery 
shows the force exerted by the heart and some important facts con- 
cerning the condition of the circulation. In cattle the average num- 
ber of pulsations in a minute (in adults) is from 50 to 60. The pulse 
is faster than normal after exercise, excitement, on hot days, from 
pain, and as a result of fullness of the stomach. In old animals it is 
slower than in the young and in males slightly slower than in 
females. In fevers and inflammations and in local diseases of the 
heart the pulse rate is increased. If the rate is greater than 100 or 
110 to the minute the outlook for recovery is not good. 

Other variations of the pulse are known as infrequent pulse, which 
means that the number of pulsations in a given time is less than nor- 
mal. The irregular or the intermittent pulse is when the pulsations 
do not follow in regular order. The large pulse and the small pulse 
refer to the volume of the pulse, which may be larger or smaller than 
usual. The strong pulse and the feeble pulse refer to the strength or 
weakness of the pulsation. The pulse is said to be hard when the 
vessel feels hard and incompressible. The soft pulse is the reverse 
of the hard one. By dicrotic pulse is meant that kind of pulsation 
which makes each beat seem double, and therefore it is generally 
called the double pulse. 



DISEASES OF HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 75 

The venous or "jugular pulse" is the pulsation so frequently 
observed in the jugular vein of cattle. It is particularly noticeable 
while they are ruminating — " chewing the cud." It is not always 
associated with disease, but may be a symptom of some disease of the 
heart; in such cases the jugular pulse is continuous. 

The location selected for feeling the pulse in cattle is where the 
submaxillary artery winds around the lower jaw bones, just at the 
lower edge of the fiat muscle on the side of the cheek ; or, if the cow 
is lying down, the metacarpal artery on the back part of the fore 
fetlock is very convenient for the purpose. 

THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART. 

Corresponding with the beats of the heart two sounds are emitted, 
which are of a definite type in healthy animals. The first is pro- 
duced by the contraction of the heart and the flow of blood out of it ; 
the second is caused by the rebound of blood in,, the aorta and the 
closure of the valves that prevent it from flowing backward into the 
heart, whence it came. The first sound is the longer and louder of 
the two, though of low pitch. The second sound is sharper and 
shorter, and it not always easy to hear in cattle. There is a brief 
interval between them. 

To appreciate these sounds, the ear is placed against the left side 
of the chest, a little above the point where the elbow rests when the 
animal is standing in a natural position and about opposite the sixth 
rib. The heart sounds are both reduced in intensity when the animal 
is weak or when the heart is forced away from the chest wall by col- 
lections of fluid or by tubercular or other growths. Nonrhythmical 
heart sound is often caused by pericarditis or by disease of the 
valves. It may also be due to overfilling of the heart upon the right 
side, as occurs in severe congestion of the lungs and in some febrile 
diseases. 

In pericarditis scraping, rubbing, or splashing sounds may be 
heard, entirely apart from the two normal sounds above described. 

The impulse of the heart, as felt by placing the hand against the 
chest, is of some consequence in arriving at a conclusion in respect to 
disease of the heart; but it must be remembered that the impulse 
may be very much increased by diseases other than those of the heart, 
as, for example, inflammation of various organs, severe pains, etc. 
The impulse may also be increased (when disease does not exist) by 
work, exercise, fright, or any cause of excitement, or, in general, by 
anything that causes acceleration of the pulse. 

The impulse of the heart may be felt and the sounds may be heard 
fairly well in lean cattle, but in fat ones it is difficult and often 
impossible to detect either impulse or sound with any degree of satis- 
faction. 



76 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

PALPITATION. 

"NAHien the impulse of the heart is excessive — ^that is, when it beats 
more or less tiimultuoiisly — the familiar expression "palpitation of the 
heart '' is applied ; and by many it is called " thumps." The hand or 
ear placed against the chest easily detects the unnatural beating. In 
some cases it is so violent that the motion may be seen at a distance. 
Palpitation is but a symptom, and in many instances not connected 
with disease of the structure of the heart or its membranes. An 
animal badly frightened may have palpitation. When it comes on 
suddenly and soon passes away, it depends on some cause other than 
disease of the heart ; but when it is gradually manifested, and becomes 
constant, although more pronounced at one time than another, heart 
disease may be suspected, especially if other symptoms of heart dis- 
ease are present. 

INJURY TO THE HEART BY FOREIGN BODIES. 

Cattle are addicted to the habit of chewing and swallowing many 
objects not intended as articles of food. Every veterinarian of expe- 
rience has met with instances to remind him of this, and it is well 
known to butchers. Among the great variety of things that have 
thus found their way into the stomachs of cattle the following have 
been noticed : Finger rings, knitting needles, old shoes, table knives, 
wood, pieces of leather, pieces of wire, buttons, hairpins, brushes, 
nails, coins, etc. The more sharply pointed objects sometimes pene- 
trate the wall of the stomach, during which they may or may not 
cause enough irritation of the stomach to produce indigestion, gradu- 
alh' work their way through the diaphragm toward the heart, pierce 
the pericardium (bag inclosing the heart), wound the heart, and 
prove fatal to the animal. Cases are recorded in which the foreign 
body has actually worked its way into one of the cavities of the heart. 
However, instances are known in which the object took a different 
course, and finally worked its way toward the surface and was 
extracted from the w^all of the chest. AVhile it is possible that the 
object may pierce the wall at different parts of the alimentary canal, 
as it frequently does that of the rumen (paunch), it is thought that 
in the great majority of cases it passes through the wall of the reticu- 
lum (smaller honeycombed compartment, or second stomach) and is 
drawn toward the heart by the suction-like action of the chest. Post- 
mortem examinations have demonstrated the course it pursued, as 
adhesions and other results of the inflammation it caused were plainly 
to be seen. All manner of symptoms may precede those showing 
involvement of the heart, depending upon the location of the -foreign 
body and the extent of inflammation caused by it. Severe indigestion 
may occur; stiffness and difficulty in moving about, due to the prods 



DISEASES OP HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 77 

of the sharp body following muscular contraction; pain on pressure 
over the front, lower, and right sides of the abdomen; coughing and 
difficult, quick breathing. In most cases the foreign body does not 
penetrate to the heart, nor even to the pericardium. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are as follows: The animal is disin- 
clined to move actively, the step is restricted and cautious, sudden 
motion causes grunting, the attitude is constrained, the feet are 
drawn somewhat together, the back is arched, the face has an anxious 
expression. If the disease is of some days' standing, there is likely to 
be soft swelling (edema) beneath the neck, in the dewlap, and under 
the chest, between the fore legs. Breathing is short and difficult; it 
may clearly be painful. The pulse is rapid, 80 to 120 per minute. 
The muscles quiver as though the animal were cold. Rumination and 
appetite are depressed or checked. The dung is hard, and to void it 
appears to cause pain. These symptoms usually develop gradually, 
and, of course, they vary considerably in different animals, depending 
upon the size and location of the foreign body and the irritation 
caused by it. 

As a matter of course, treatment in such cases is useless, but when 
it is possible to diagnose the case correctly the animal could be turned 
over to the butcher before the flesh becomes unfit for use; that is, 
before there is more than a little suppuration and before there is 
fever. Knowing that cattle are prone to swallow such objects, ordi- 
nary care may be exercised in keeping their surroundings as free of 
them as possible. 

PERICARDITIS. 

Inflammation of the pericardium (heart bag) is often associated 
with pneumonia and pleurisy, rheumatism, and other constitutional 
diseases, or with an injury. It also occurs as an independent affec- 
tion, due to causes similar to those of other chest affections, as expos- 
ure to cold or dampness and changes of the weather. 

Symptoms. — It may be ushered in with a chill, followed by fever, 
of more or less severity ; the animal stands still and dull, with head 
hanging low, and anxiety expressed in its countenance. The pulse 
may be large, perhaps hard ; there is also a venous pulse. The hand 
against the chest will feel the beating of the heart, which is often 
irregular, sometimes violent, and in other instances weak, depending 
in part upon the amount of fluid that has transuded into the peri- 
cardial sac. Legs are cold, the breathing quickened and usually 
abdominal; if the left side of the chest be pressed on or struck, the 
animal evinces pain. There may be spasms of the muscles in the 
region of the breast, neck, or hind legs. After a time, which varies in 
length, the legs may become swollen, and swelling may also appear 
under the chest and brisket. 



78 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

In those animals in which the heart sounds may be heard somewhat 
distinctly, the ear applied against the chest will detect a to-and-fro 
friction sound, corresponding to the beats of the heart. This sound 
is produced by the rubbing of the internal surface of the heart bag 
against the external surface of the heart. During the first stages of 
the inflammation these surfaces are dry, and the rubbing of one 
against the other during the contraction and relaxation of the heart 
produces this sound. The dry stage is followed by the exudation of 
fluid into the heart sac, and the friction is not heard until the fluid 
is absorbed sufficiently to allow the surfaces to come in contact again. 
But during the time the friction sound is lost a sound which has been 
called a " churning noise " may take its place. 

The friction sound of pericarditis can not be mistaken for the fric- 
tion sound of pleurisy if the examination is a careful one, because 
in the heart affection the sound is made in connection with the heart 
beats, Avhile in the pleuritic affection the sound is synchronous with 
each respiration or breath of air taken in and expelled from the lungs. 

Treatment. — ^When pericarditis is complicated with rheumatism or 
other diseases the latter must be treated as directed in the description 
of them. The animal must be kept in a quiet, comfortable place, 
where it will be free from excitement. Warm clothing should be 
applied to the body and the legs should be hand-rubbed until the cir- 
culation in them is reestablished, and then snugly bandaged. The 
food should be nutritive and in moderate quantity. Bleeding should 
not be performed unless the case is in the hands of an expert. 

At the beginning give as a purgative Epsom salt — 1 pound to an 
averaged-size cow — dissolved in about a quart of warm water and 
administered as a drench. When there is much pain 2 ounces of 
laudanum may be given, diluted with a pint of water, every three 
hours until relief is given. Do not give the laudanum unless de- 
manded by the severity of the pain, as it tends to constipation. Give 
one-half ounce of nitrate of potassium (saltpeter), dissolved in drink- 
ing water, four or five times a day. After the attack has abated 
mustard mixed with water may be rubbed well over the left side 
of the chest to stimulate the absorption of the fluid contained within 
the pericardium. The other medicines may be discontinued and the 
following administered: Sulphate of iron, 2 ounces; powdered gen- 
tian, 6 ounces; mix and make 8 powders. Give one powder every 
day at noon, mixed with food, if the animal will eat it, or shaken up 
with water in a bottle as a drench. Also the following: lodid of 
potassium, 2 ounces; nitrate of potassium, 8 ounces; mix and make 
16 powders. Give one in drinking water or in drench every morning 
and evening. The last two prescriptions may be contiued for several 
weeks if necessary. 



DISEASES OF HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 79 

If at any time during the attack much weakness is manifested, 
give the following drench every three hours : Spirits of nitrous ether, 
3 ounces ; rectified spirits, 4 ounces ; water, 1 pint ; mix and give as a 
drench. 

In extreme cases tapping the pericardium with a trocar and cannula 
to draw off the fluid is resorted to, but the operation requires exact 
anatomical knowledge. 

After death from pericarditis there is always more or less fluid 
found in the pericardium ; the surfaces are rough and covered with a 
yellow-colored exudate. There are also in many cases adhesions to 
a greater or less extent between the heart and pericardium. 

MYOCARDITIS. 

Inflammation of the muscular structure of the heart occcurs in 
limited, circumscribed areas, as evidenced by post-mortem examina- 
tion, and it is probably always somewhat involved in connection with 
pericarditis and endocarditis. It may readily be inferred that if the 
whole organ were inflamed death would ensue immediately. Usually 
myocarditis results from the preexistence of blood poisoning or some 
infectious febrile disease. 

Symftoins. — The chief symptoms are those of heart weakness. 
The heart beat is fast, weak, and often irregular. Respiration is 
difficult and rapid. There is great general weakness and depression. 
Death comes on suddenly. 

Treatment. — Treatment consists in supporting the animal by the 
use of stimulants, such as alcohol, ammonia, coffee, digitalis, cam- 
phor, etc. Complete quiet must be provided, and the general care 
should be as in pericarditis. 

ENDOCARDITIS. 

^\Tien the membrane which lines the cavities of the heart — the 
endocardium — suffers inflammation, the disease is called endocarditis. 
The cause is another disease, during which there is produced and 
admitted into the circulation substances that irritate the lining of the 
heart. These substances are usually living organisms, or it is pos- 
sible that in some cases they are chemical irritants. Endocarditis 
occurs as a complication or sequel to pneumonia, blood poisoning, 
inflammation of the womb, rheumatism, or severe wounds or ab- 
scesses. The symptoms are much the same as those of pericarditis, 
and it is diflficult to discriminate between the two affections. There 
is a jugular pulse, the legs may become dropsical, and there is a 
tendency to faint if the head is elevated suddenly. The bellows-like 
sound is more distinct than it is in pericarditis. It is the most fatal 
of heart diseases, because of the liability of the formation of clots, 
which may adhere to the valves, change in the structure of the valves, 



80 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

and often a complication with an abnormal condition of the blood. 
Clots may be formed in the heart, and, being carried to other parts, 
prove fatal by interrupting the circulation in some vital organ. 

Similar treatment to that advised for myocarditis may be followed 
in this disease. 

VALVES OF THE HEART. 

The valves are subject to abnormal growths and structural changes 
in chronic endocarditis or as a result of acute endocarditis. Some- 
times valves are toni by sudden extreme muscular effort, or an abnor- 
mality may be congenital. Cases are also reported in which they 
have been found ruptured. 

SymjJtoms. — The general symptoms are those of heart weakness, 
accompanied by congestion of the lungs and edema. 

Treatment. — Relief is sometimes afforded, but usually temporarily, 
by the use of stimulants, especially digitalis. 

RUPTl RE or THE HEART. 

Sudden effort, blows, or disease may lead to mpture of the heart of 
the ox. The first cause does not operate so often in cattle as in horses. 
Tuberculosis or ulceration from other causes, such as a foreign body, 
is the most common source of this accident. Rupture is shown by 
sudden fainting; followed very shortly by death. 

HYPERTROPHY AND DILATATION OF THE HEART. 

This is an enlargement of the heart, and may consist of the thicken- 
ing of the walls alone, or at the same time the cavities may be either 
enlarged or diminished in size. Dilatation of the cavities has been 
noticed as existing independently of thickened walls. In hypertrophy 
the sounds of the heart are loud and pronounced, and may be heard 
on both sides of the chest distinctly, and palpitation occurs to a 
greater or less extent. Luckily both conditions are very rare in cattle. 

ATROPHY. 

Atrophy is the technical term for wasting of the muscular tisvsue. 
Atrophy of the heart is very rare among cattle, and is usually a result 
of other diseases. 

FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE HEART. 

This condition of the heart is met with in some cattle that are very 
fat, but it must be understood that the accumulation of fat around 
the heart is not referred to by this designation. In fatty degenera- 
tion the elements of the muscular tissue are replaced by fatty or oily 
granules. The muscle becomes weak, the heart contractions are 
insufficient, and heart weakness is shown by general weakness, short- 
jiess of breath, and weak, rapid pulse. 



DISEASES OF HEAET, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 81 

CYANOSIS. 

Owing to the most prominent symptom, this condition is also called 
"blue disease." It is seen occasionally in new-born calves. It is 
recognized by the blue color of the mucous membrane (easily seen by^ 
looking within the mouth and nostrils) , the coldness of the surface of 
the body, and rapid, labored breathing. It is due to nonclosure of 
the foramen ovale, connecting the right with the left side of the heart, 
and the consequent mixing of the venous with the arterial blood. 
Calves so affected live but a short time. 

MISPLACEMENT OF THE HEART. 

Cases are recorded in which the heart has been found out of its 
natural position, sometimes locate outside of the chest. This is a 
congenital condition, for which there is no remedy. A heifer calf 
with the heart entirely outside of the thoracic cavity and contained 
beneath the skin in the lower part of the neck was kept at the veteri- 
nary hospital of the ITnivei'sity of Pennsylvania for two years, during 
which time it matured into a well-developed cow. 

WOUNDS OF ARTERIES AND VEINS. 

When a blood vessel is opened it may be told at a glance whether 
it is an artery or a vein by simply bearing in mind that bright-red 
blood comes from arteries and dark-red from veins. When a vein or 
a very small artery is severed the blood flows from the vessel in a con- 
tinuous and even stream, but when one of the larger arteries is severed 
the blood comes from it in intennitting jets, or spurts, corresponding 
to the beats of the heart. It is well to call attention to the fact that 
the dark-red blood which flows or oozes from a wound soon becomes 
bright-redj because it gives up its carbonic-acid gas to the air, and 
absorbs oxygen gas from the air, which is exactly the change it under- 
goes in the capillaries of the lungs. 

The general treatment of wounds will be found in another section ; 
here it is only necessaiy to refer briefly to some of the most practical 
methods used to arrCvSt hemorrhages, as instances occur where an 
animal may lose much strength from the loss of blood, or even bleed 
to death unless action is prompt. 

BLEEDING (HEMORRHAGE). 

The severity of a hemorrhage depends upon the size of the vessel 
fi'om which the blood escapes, though it may be stated that it is more 
serious when arteries are severed. If the wound in an artery is in the 
direction of its length, the blood escapes more freely than if the vessel 
is completely severed, because in the latter instance the severed ends 
retract, curl in, and may aid very much in arresting the flow. When 
16923°— 12 6 



82 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the blood merely oozes from the wound, and even in cases where it 
flows in a small stream, the forming of the clot arrests the hemorrhage 
in a comparatively short time. 

Slight hemorrhages may be checked by the continuous application 
to the wound of cold water, ice, or snow, as cold causes contraction of 
the small vessels. The water may be thrown on a wound from a hose, 
or dashed on it from the hand or a cup, or folds of cotton cloths may 
be held on the wound and kept wet. Ice or snow may be held against 
the wound, or they may be put in a bag and conveniently secured in 
position. 

Hot water of an average temperature of 115° to 120° F. injected 
into the vagina or womb is often efficient in arresting hemorrhages 
from those organs. Tow, raw cotton, lint, or sponges may be forced 
into a wound and held or bound there with bandages. This is an 
excellent method for checking the flow of blood until the arrival of 
an expert. If the flow persists, these articles may be saturated with 
tincture of iron, but it is not advisable to use the tincture of iron if it 
can be avoided, as it is a caustic, and retards healing by causing a 
slough. The articles may be saturated with vinegar in cases of neces- 
sity, or tannic acid or alum dissolved in water may be used instead. 
The article (whichever is used) should be left in the wound suffi- 
ciently long to make sure that its removal will not be followed by a 
renewal of the hemorrhage. It must remain there one or two days 
in some instances. 

An iron heated until it is white and then pressed on the bleeding 
vessel for three or four seconds is occasionally used. It should be at 
white heat and applied for a moment only, or else the charred tissue 
will come away with the iron and thus defeat the purpose of its 
application. 

Compression may be applied in different ways, but only the most 
convenient will be mentioned. To many wounds bandages may easily 
be applied. The bandages may be made of linen, muslin, etc., suffi- 
cently wide and long, according to the nature of the wound and the 
region to be bandaged. Bed sheets torn in strips the full length make 
excellent bandages for this purpose. Cotton batting, tow, or a piece 
of sponge may be placed on the wound and firmly bound there with 
the bandages. 

In many instances ligating the vessel is necessary. A ligature is a 
piece of thread or string tied around the vessel. Ligating is almost 
entirely confined to arteries. Veins are not ligated unless very large 
(and even then only when other means are not available) on account 
of the danger of phlebitis, or inflammation of a vein. The ligature is 
tied around the end of the artery, but in some instances this is difficult, 
and it is necessary to include some of the adjacent tissue, although 
care should be taken that a nerve is not included. To apply a liga- 



DISEASES OF HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 83 

ture, it is necessary to have artery forceps (tweezers or small pincers 
may suffice) by which to draw out the artery in order to tie the string 
around it. To grasp the vessel it may be necessary to sponge the 
blood from the wound so that the end will be exposed. In case the 
end of the bleeding artery has retracted, a sharp-pointed hook, called 
a tenaculum, is used to draw it out far enough to tie. The ligature 
should be drawn tightly, so that the middle and internal coats will be 
cut through. 

Another method of checking hemorrhage is called torsion. It con- 
sists in catching the end of the bleeding vessel, drawing it out a little, 
and then twisting it around a few times with the forceps, which lacer- 
ates the internal coats so that a check is effected. This is very effect- 
ual in small vessels, and is to be preferred to ligatures, because it 
leaves no foreign body in the wound. A needle or pin may be stuck 
through the edges of a wound, and a string passed around between 
the free ends and the skin (PI. XXVIII, fig. 10), or it may be passed 
around in the form of a figure 8, as is often done in the operation of 
bleeding from the jugular vein. 

ANEURISM. 

A circumscribed dilation of an artery, constituting a tumor which 
pulsates synchronously with the beats of the heart, is called aneurism. 
It is due to disease and rupture of one or two of the arterial coats. 
The true aneurism communicates with the interior of the artery and 
contains coagulated blood. They are so deeply seated in cattle that 
treatment is out of the question. These abnormalities are due to 
severe exertion, to old age, to fatty or calcareous degeneration, or to 
parasites in the blood vessels. Death is sudden when due to the rup- 
ture of an aneurism of a large artery, owing to internal hemorrhage. 
Sometimes spontaneous recovery occurs. As a rule no symptoms are 
caused in cattle by the presence of deep-seated aneurisms, and their 
presence is not suspected until after death. 

A false aneurism results from blood escaping from a wounded 
artery into the adjacent tissue, where it clots, and the wound, remain- 
ing open in the artery, causes pulsation in the tumor. 

THROMBOSIS (OBSTRUCTION) OF THE ARTERIES. 

Arteries become obstructed as a result of wounds and other injuries 
to them, as those resulting from the formation of an abscess or the 
extension of inflammation from surrounding structures to the coats 
of an artery. Arteries are also obstructed by the breaking off of 
particles of a plug or clot, partly obstructing the aorta or other large 
artery. These small pieces (emboli) are floated to an artery that is 
too small to permit them to pass and are there securely held, pro- 



84 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

ducing obstruction. Such obstructions are shown by loss of power 
in the muscles supplied by the obstructed arteiy and by excitation 
of the heart and respiration after exercise. The loss of power may 
not come into evidence until after exercise. 

Symptoms. — "While standing still or when walking slowly the ani- 
mal may appear to be normal, bu't after more active exercise a group 
of muscles, a leg, or both hind legs, may be handled with difficulty, 
causing lameness, and lat«r there is practically a local paralysis. 
These symptoms disappear with rest. In some cases the collateral 
circulation develops in time, so that the parts receive sufficient blood 
and the symptoms disappear. 

INFLAMMATION OF \rEINS ( PHLEBITIS ). 

When bleeding is performed without proper care or with unclean 
fleam or lancet, inflammation of the vein may result, or it may be 
caused by the animal rubbing the wound against some object. When 
inflammation follows the operation, the coats of the vein become 
enlarged; so much so that the vessel may be felt hard and knotted 
beneath the skin, and when pressed on pain is evinced. A thin, 
watery discharge, tinged with blood, issues from the wound. When 
the pin is taken out it is found that the wound has not healed. The 
blood becomes coagulated in the vessel. In inflammation of the 
jugular the coagulation extends from the wound upward to the first 
large branch. Abscesses may form along the course of the vein. 
The inflammation is followed by obliteration of that part in which 
coagulation exists. This is of small import, as cattle have an acces- 
sory jugular vein which gi'adually enlarges and accommodates itself 
to the increased quantity of blood it must carry. 

Treatment. — The treatment for inflammation of the vein is to clip 
the hair from along the course of the affected vessel and apply a 
blister, the cerate of cantharides. Abscesses should be opened as 
soon as they form, because there is a possibility of the pus getting 
into the circulation. 

In the operation of bleeding the instruments should be clean and 
free from rust. If the skin is not sufficiently opened, or when closing 
the wound the skin is drawn out too mucli, blood may accumulate in 
the tissue, and if it does it should be removed by prassing absorbent 
cotton or a sponge on the part. Care should also be used in opening 
the vein, so that the instrument does not pass entirely through both 
sides of the vein and open the artery beneath it. (See " Bleeding, 
or Blood-letting,-' p. 300.) 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate VII 




» 



DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 

Plate VII : 

Diagram illustrating the circulation of the blood. The arrows indicate 
the direction in which the blood flows. The valves of the heart, situ- 
ated between the right auricle and ventricle, and left auricle and 
ventricle, and between the ventricles and large arteries, are represented 
by curved lines. These valves are intended to prevent the flow of 
blood in a direction contrary to that indicated by the arrows. 

85 



NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF THE ORGANS 
OF RESPIRATION. 

By William Hebbebt Lowe, D. V. S. 
[Revised in 1904 by the author.] 

In the determination of disease in the human being the physician is 
aided by both subjective and objective symptoms in making his diag- 
nosis; but the veterinary physician, in a very large majority of cases, 
is obliged to rely almost solely upon objective symptoms, and perhaps 
in no class of diseases is this more true than in the exploration of 
those under consideration. This condition of affairs has a strong 
tendency to develop observation and discernment in the veterinarian, 
and not infrequently do we find that the successful veterinary prac- 
titioner is a very accurate diagnostician. But in order to make a 
differential diagnosis it is not only necessary to have a knowledge of 
the structure and functions of the organs in health, but to adopt a 
rigid system of details of examination, without which successful re- 
sults can not be reached. 

History. — The history of a case should always be ascertained so far 
as possible. The information obtained is sometimes unsatisfactory 
and not to be depended upon, but even when such is the case it is 
advisable to weigh the evidence from every point of view. 

In connection with the history of every case it is always of primary 
importance to ascertain the cause of illness. A knowledge of the 
origin and development of a disease is important, both in making 
a diagnosis and in formulating the treatment. Exposure to cold and 
dampness is frequently the exciting cause of affections of the organs 
of respiration. 

The experienced practitioner is always sure to ascertain whether 
the particular animal he is called on to attend is the only one in the 
stable or on the premises that is similarly affected. If several ani- 
mals are similarly affected, the disease may have a common cause, 
which may or may not be of an infectious nature. 

Another thing that the experienced practitioner ascertains is what 
previous treatment, if any, the animal has had. Medicine given in 
excessive doses sometimes produces symptoms resembling those of 
disease. 
86 



NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF RESPIRATION ORGANS. 87 

The hygienic and sanitary conditions have always to be considered 
in connection with the cause as well as the treatment of disease. 
Much of the disease which occurs in large dairies, as well as else- 
where, could be prevented if owner's and those in charge of animals 
had proper regard for the fundamental laws of animal hygiene and 
modern sanitation. Disregard for these laws is the cause of most of 
the diseases under consideration in this chapter. 

Attitude and general condition. — The feeling of pain in animals 
suffering from serious affections of the organs of respiration is 
expressed to the close observer in no uncertain language — by their 
flinching when the painful part is touched; by the care with which 
they move or lie down ; by walking or standing to " favor " the part ; 
by the general attitude and expression of the eye ; by the distress and 
suffering apparent in the face of the sick animal; and by other 
evidences. 

The general physical condition and attitude of the sick animal tell 
much to the careful observer that aids him in making a diagnosis and 
prognosis. Cows suffering from affections of the organs of respira- 
tion usually assume a position or attitude that is characteristic, well 
known to experienced stockmen as well as to veterinarians. When 
an animal has a fever or is suffering from an inflammation, the skin 
is one of the first parts of the body to undergo a change that is 
apparent to the average observer. The skin soon loses its elasticity 
and tone, and the hair becomes dry and staring. 

From the general condition or states of nutrition one is able to judge 
the effect that the disease has already had upon the animal and to 
estimate the amount of strength remaining available for its restora- 
tion to health ; from the amount of emaciation one can approximate 
as to the length of time the animal has been ill. The age and breed 
of the animal, as well as its constitution and temperament, are among 
the things that have to be taken into account in making a diagnosis 
and in overcoming the disease. 

The mucous membrarhe. — The mucous membrane should in all cases 
be examined. It can be readily seen by everting the eyelids or by 
an inspection of the lining membrane of the nostrils. 

Paleness of the mucous membrane indicates weak circulation or 
poor blood. It may result from inappropriate food, from disease, or 
from hemorrhage. 

In healthy animals increased redness of the mucous membrane 
occurs from pain, excitement^ severe exertion, and in such instances 
is always transitory. In certain pathological conditions, such as 
fevers and inflammation, this condition of the mucous membrane 
will also be found. The increased redness of the mucous membrane 
lasts during the duration of the fever or inflammation. 



88 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

A bluish or blue mucous membrane indicates that the blood is 
imperfectly oxidized and contains an excess of carbon dioxid, and 
is seen in serious diseases of the respiratory tract, such as pneumonia 
and in heart failure. 

The secretions. — The secretions may be either diminished, in- 
creasedj or perverted. In the early stage of an inflammation of a 
secretory organ its secretion is diminished. In the early stage of 
pleurisy the serous membrane is dry, and as the disease advances the 
membrane becomes unnaturally moist. The products of secretion 
are sometimes greatly changed in character from the secretion in 
health, becoming excessively irritant and yielding evidence of chemi- 
cal and other alterations in the character of the secretion. 

Cough. — Cough depends upon a reflex nervous action, and may be 
primary when the irritation exists in the lungs or air passages, or 
secondary when due to iiTitation of the stomachy intestines, or other 
parts having nervous communications with the respiratory apparatus. 
A cough is said to be diy, moist, hareh, hollow, difficult, paroxysmal, 
suppressed, sympathetic, etc., according to its character. Cough is 
a very important symptom, often being diagnostic in diseases of the 
respiratory organs; but this is a subject which can be more satisfac- 
torily treated in connection with the special diseases of the organs in 
question. 

Respiration. — In making an examination of an animal observe the 
depth, frequency, quickness, facility, and the nature of the i-espira- 
tory movements. They may be quick or slow, frequent or infrequent, 
deep or imperfect, lalwred, unequal, irregular, etc., each of which has 
its significance to the educated and experienced veterinarian. 

Sleep, rumination, pregnancy in cows, et«., modify the respiratory 
movements even in health. Respiration consists of two acts — inspira- 
tion and expiration. The function of respiration is to take in 
oxygen from the atmospheric air, which is essential for the mainte- 
nance of life, and to exhale the deleterious gas known as " carbon 
dioxid." 

The frequency of the respiratory movements is determined by 
obser\ang the motions of the nostrils or of the flanks. The normal 
rate of respiration for a healthy animal of the bovine species Ls 
from 15 to 18 times per minute. The extent of the respiratory sys- 
tem renders it liable to become affected by contiguity to many parts, 
and its nervous connections are very important. 

Rapid, irregular, or difficult breathing is known as dyspnea, and 
the animal in all such cases has difficulty in obtaining the amount of 
oxygen that it requires. Among the conditions that give rise to 
dyspnea may be mentioned restricted area of active lung tissue, due 
to filling of portions of the lungs with inflammatory exudate, as in 
pneumonia ; painful movements of the chest, as in rheumatism or 



NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF EESPIRATTON ORGANS. 89 

pleurisy; fluid in the chest cavity, as in hydrothorax ; adhesions be- 
tween the hmgs and chest walls; compre&sion of the lungs or loss of 
elasticity ; excess of carbon dioxid in the blood ; weakness of the 
respiratory passages; tumors of the nose and paralysis of the throat; 
swellings of the throat; foreign bodies and constriction of the air 
passages leading to the lungs; fevers, etc. 

As already alluded to it is only the careful and constant examina- 
tion of animals in health that will enable one properly to appreciate 
abnormal conditions. One must become familiar with the frequency 
and character of the pulse and of the respirations, must know the 
temperature of the animal in health, before changes in abnormal con- 
ditions can be properly appreciated. 

TemperaUire. — The temperature should be taken in all cases of 
sickness. Experienced practitioners can approximate the patient's 
temperature with remarkable accuracy, but I would strongly recom- 
mend the use of the self-registering clinical thermometer, which is a 
most valuable instrimient in diagnosing diseases. (See PI. Ill, fig. 
1.) It is advisable that a tested instrument be procured, as some 
thermometers in the market are inaccurate and misleading. The 
proper place to insert the thennometer is in the rectum. The instru- 
ment should be rested against the walls of the cavity for about three 
minutes. The normal temperature of the bovine is 101° to 102° F., 
which is higher than that of the horse. A cow breathes faster, her 
heart beats faster, and her internal temperature is higher than that 
of the horse. Ordinary physiological influences — such as exercise, 
digestion, etc. — give rise to slight variations of internal temperature ; 
but if the temperature rises two or three degrees above the standard 
some diseased condition is indicated. 

Pulse. — The pulse in a grown animal of the bovine species in a 
state of good health beats from 45 to 55 times per minute. Exercise, 
fright, fear, excitement, overfeeding, pregnancy, and other phys- 
iological conditions, as well as disease, may affect the frequency and 
character of the pulse. It assumes various characters according to 
its rapidity of beat, frequency of occurrence, resistance to pressure, 
regularity, and perceptibility. Thus we have the quick and slow, 
frequent and infrequent, hard and soft, full and imperceptible, large 
and small pulses, the characters of which may be determined from 
their names; also that form known as the intermittent, either regular 
or irregular. We may have a dicrotic, or double pulse; a thready 
pulse, which is extremely small and scarcely perceptible ; the venous, 
or jugular, pulse; the '' running down '' pulse, and so on. (See p. 74.) 

In cattle the pulse is conveniently felt over the submaxillary artery 
where it winds around the lower jawbone, just at the lower edge of 
the flat muscle on the side of the cheek. If the cow is lying down the 
pulse may l>e taken from the metacarpal artery on the back part of 



90 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the fore fetlock. The pulsations can be felt from any superficial 
artery, but in order to ascertain the peculiarities it is necessary to 
select an artery that may be pressed against a bone. There is a 
marked difference in the normal or physiological pulse of the horse 
and that of the cow, that of the horse being full and rather tense, 
while in the cow it is soft and rolling. The pulse is faster in young 
and in old cattle than it is in those of middle age. 

Auscultation. — Auscultation and percussion are the chief methods 
employed to determine the various pathological changes that occur 
in the respiratory organs. Auscultation is the act of listening, and 
may be either mediate or immediate. Mediate auscultation is accom- 
plished by aid of an instrument known as the stethoscope, one ex- 
tremity of which is applied to the ear and the other to the chest of 
the animal. In immediate auscultation the ear is applied directly to 
the part. Immediate auscultation will answer in a large majority of 
cases. Auscultation is resorted to in cardiac and certain abdominal 
diseases, but it is mainly employed for determining the condition of 
the lungs and air passages. Animals can not give the various phases 
of respiration on demand, as can the patients of the human practi- 
tioner. The organs themselves are less accessible than in man, owing 
to the greater bulk of tissue surrounding them and the pectoral posi- 
tion of the fore extremities, all of which render it more diflBcult in 
determining pathological conditions. (See PI. VIII.) 

The air going in and out of the lungs makes a certain soft, rustling 
sound, known as the vesicular murmur, which can be heard distinctly 
in a healthy state of the animal, especially upon inspiration. Exer- 
cise accelerates the rate of respiration and intensifies this sound. 
The vesicular murmur is heard only where the lung contains air and 
its function is active. The vesicular murmur is weakened as inflam- 
matory infiltration takes place and when the lungs are compressed by 
fluids in the thoracic cavity, and disappears when the lung becomes 
solidified in pneumonia or the chest cavity filled with fluid as in 
hydrothorax. The bronchial murmur is a harsh, blowing sound, 
heard in normal conditions by applying the ear over the lower part 
of the trachea, and may be heard to a limited extent in the anterior 
portions of the lungs after severe exercise. The bronchial murmur 
when heard over other portions of the lungs generally signifies that 
the lung tissue has become more or less solidified or that fluid has 
collected in the chest cavity. 

Other sounds, known as mucous rales, are heard in the lungs in 
pneumonia after the solidified parts begin to break down at the end 
of the disease and in bronchitis where there is an excess of secretion, 
as well as in other conditions. Mucous rales are of a gurgling or 
bubbling nature. They are caused by air rushing through tubes con- 
taining secretions or pus. They are said to be large or small as they 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate Vll 



I. 




NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF RESPIRATION ORGANS. 91 

are distinct or indistinct, depending upon the quantity of fluid that 
is present and the size of the tubes in which the sound is produced. 
According to their character they are divided into dry and moist. 
The friction sound is produced by the rubbing together of roughened 
surfaces and is characteristic of pleurisy. 

Permission. — Percussion is that mode of examination by which we 
elicit sounds by striking or tapping over the part. It may be direct 
or indirect. If the middle finger of the left hand is placed firmly on 
the chest and smartly tapped or struck with the ends of the first three 
fingers of the right hand, the sound will be noticed to be more reso- 
nant and clear than when the same procedure is practiced on a solid 
part of the body. This is because the lungs are not solid, but are 
always, in health, well expanded with air. But in certain pulmonary 
diseases, as in pneumonia, they fill up and become solid, when the 
sound given out by percussing them is dull, like that on any other 
solid part of the animal. When fluid has collected in the lower part 
of the chest cavity the sound will also be dull on percussion. Where 
there is an excess of air in the chest cavity, as in emphysema or in 
pneumothorax, the percussion sound becomes abnormally loud and 
clear. By practice on healthy animals the character and boundaries 
of the sounds can be so well determined that any variations from 
them will be readily detected, and will sometimes disclose the pres- 
ence of a diseased condition when nothing else will. 

Percussion is sometimes practiced with the aid of a special percus- 
sion hammer and an object to strike upon known as a pleximeter. A 
percussion hammer is made of rubber or has a rubber tip, so that 
when the pleximeter, which is placed against the side of the animal, 
is struck the impact will not be accompanied by a noise. A percus- 
sion hammer and pleximeter can be purchased from any veterinary 
instrument maker. 

CATARRH (cold IN THE HEAd). 

Nasal catarrh is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the 
nostrils and upper air passages. Simple catarrh is not a serious disease 
in itself, but if neglected is liable to be complicated with laryngitis, 
bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, and other diseases of the respiratory 
organs, which are of a serious nature and sometimes fatal. Catarrh 
is a common disease among cattle. It is often due to sudden exposure 
to wet and cold after they have been accustomed to shelter. It may 
arise from inhalation of irritating gases. It is sometimes due to 
certain specific atmospheric conditions, and may assume an enzootic 
form. It is very debilitating, and requires prompt and judicious 
treatment. 

Symptoms. — Redness of the mucous membranes of the nose, redness 
and watering of the eyes. The mucous membrane first becomes dry ; 



92 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

afterwards a watery discharge appears, and later on in severe cases 
the discharge becomes mucopurulent. In mild cases there is little or 
no fever, but in severe cases the fever may run high. The animal 
becomes dull, languid, and is not inclined to move about, and the ap- 
petite may become impaired; there is variable temperature of the 
horns and ears. If in a cow giving milk, the secretion diminishes; 
the mucus from the eyes and nose becomes thicker and yellower. 
Aftei-wards, as the symptoms increase in severity, the discharge be- 
comes mucopurulent. 

Treatinent. — The animal should be housed in a well-ventilated 
place, with good hygenic surroundings. In cold and damp weather 
it should be kept warm with blanketing. Give hot, medicated inha- 
lations in severe cases. If the fever is high this may be reduced by 
giving nitrate of potassium, from 1 to 2 ounces, in the drinking water, 
three times daily. Diffusible stimulants are beneficial in most cases. 
Too much importance can not be attached to good nursing. There is 
no necessity to resort to the old system of bleeding, purging, or the 
use of powerful sedatives. 

EPISTAXIS (bleeding FROM THE NOS^). 

Bleeding from the nostrils is rather rare in cattle. It may arise 
from any one of a variety of causes, but usually results fi'om disease 
or injury to the mucous membranes, or to violent exertions in cough- 
ing and sneezing. It is seldom serious. The bleeding generally oc- 
curs in drops from one nostril only, accompanied by sneezing, and 
without frothing. Bleeding from the lungs comes from both nostrils, 
is bright red, frothy, and accompanied by a cough. 

Treatment. — In many cases the bleeding will cease spontaneously 
and all that is necessary is to keep the animal quiet and bathe the 
head and nostrils with cold water. Ascertain the cause of the bleed- 
ing and be governed accordingly in the treatment. In severe and 
exceptional cases, where the hemorrhage is persistent and long con- 
tinued, tie the animal's head to a high rack or beam and apply cold 
water, ice, or have recourse to styptic injections. If the hemorrhage 
is profuse and persistent, give either a drench composed of 1^ drams 
of acetate of lead dissolved in a pint of water or 1| drams of gallic 
acid dissolved in a pint of water. 

LARYNGITIS (sORE THROAt). 

Laryngitis consists of an inflammation of the mucous membrane 
lining the larynx. It may be either a primary or a secondary disease, 
complicated or uncomplicated. In the majority of cases it is due to 
some form of exposure, a sudden change from warm to cold surround- 



NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF RESPIRATION ORGANS. 93 

ings, or exposure to cold storms. It may also arise from inhaling 
irritating gases. It may be the result of external violence. In an 
acute attack of laryngitis there is an elevation of temperature, pain 
on pressure over the region of the laiynx, violent paroxysms of cough- 
ing, difficult and noisy respiration. The nostrils are dilated, the nose 
extended, and the animal has a frightened expression. There is 
marked difficulty in swallowing. 

TreatTnent. — This consists of fomentations and hot applications 
over the throat. Stimulating liniments, mustard mixed with cold 
water and well rubbed in with a stiff brush, or other forms of counter- 
irritation may be apj^lied in severe cases. Hot inhalations should be 
frequently resorted to, and often afford much relief to the suffering 
animal. In this disease medicines should be given so far as possible 
in the fonn of electuaries {soft solid) on account of the difficulty of 
deglutition. Large drafts of medicines have a tendency to produce 
violent spells of coughing, and in this way retard recovery. The 
subjoined formula for an electuary will be found to answer the pur- 
pose in ordinary cases : Chlorate of potassium, pulverized, 8 ounces ; 
fluid extract of belladonna, 2 ounces; powdered opium, 1 ounce; pow- 
dered licorice root, 8 ounces; sirup, sufficient quantity; mix. At 
frequent intervals place a small tablespoonful of the mixture on the 
tongue or back teeth. Or the following may be used instead : Aloes, 
powdered opium, and gum camphor in equal parts; mix. Rub an 
ounce on the molar teeth every four or five hours. The bowels should 
be kept open and the diet should be such as the patient can easily 
swallow. Warm, sloppy mashes, boiled oatmeal gruel, linseed tea, 
and the like are the most suitable substances. If suffocation be 
threatened during the course of the disease tracheotomy should be 
performed without delay. The details of the operation are fully 
described under the head of " Surgical operations." (See. p. 302.) 

When the disease assumes a chronic form strong counterirritation 
is indicated. A cantharides blister may be applied, or the following 
ointment may be used: Biniodid of mercuiy 1 part, lard 6 parts; 
mix. In some cases it will be found necessary to rej^eat the above 
application. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the 
bronchial tubes. Wlien a primary disease it is generally the result 
of what is commonly known as " catehing cold." It may be sec- 
ondary to or complicated with many of the diseases of the respiratory 
system. It may also be caused by breathing irritating gases; or by 
the introduction of foreign bodies into the bronchial tubes, which 
sometimes results from injudicious and careless drenching when the 



94 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

larynx is in a temporarily relaxed state. It may be acute or chronic, 
and is divided, according to the seat of the inflanrniation, into bron- 
chitis proper where the large tubes are aifected, or capillary bron- 
chitis where the smaller tubes are affected. 

Symptoms. — ^Loss of appetite, elevation of temperature, generally 
104° or 105° F. The inspiration is incomplete, short, and painful, 
and the expiration is prolonged. The pulse is increased in fre- 
quency and is hard. A characteristic and painful cough is present, 
but it is paroxysmal and incomplete. Auscultation and percussion 
greatly aid us in a diagnosis. A normal sound is observed on per- 
cussion. On auscultation, in the early stages, rhonchus rales are 
detected if the larger tubes are affected, and sibilant rales if the 
smaller tubes are affected. Later on mucous rales are noted, and 
sometimes all sounds in certain parts are absent, which is due to 
the plugging up of the tubes. This plugging of the tubes, if extensive 
enough, is sometimes the cause of death, or death may result from 
extension of the disease to the lungs or pleura. 

TreatTnent. — The animal should be placed in a light well-venti- 
lated box, and the bowels kept in a soft condition by enemas, etc. 
Avoid violent purgatives. The body should be kept warm by blank- 
eting. In the early stages give three times daily a draft composed 
as follows: Extract of belladonna, 2 drams; solution of acetate of 
ammonium, 4 fluid ounces; water, one-half pint. In the later stage 
of the disease substitute the following formula, which may be given 
twice daily : Carbonate of ammonium, 3 drams ; liquor hydrochlorate 
of strychnin, 2 fluid drams; spirits of nitrous ether, 1 fluid ouncej 
water, one-half pint. 

In some cases the following is preferable to either of the above, 
and may be given in a pint of linseed tea every four hours : Spirits of 
nitrous ether, 1| ounces; aromatic spirits of ammonia, 2 ounces; 
powdered camphor, 2 drams. The food should be light and nutri- 
tious. 

Bronchitis is liable to assume a chronic form if not properly treated 
in the earliest stage. Remedial treatment is of little value when the 
disease becomes chronic. 

PLEURISY. 

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the serous membrane lining the 
chest cavity and enveloping the lungs. It is somewhat rare as an 
independent disease, but it often complicates pneumonia; indeed, it 
is often due to the same germ that causes pneumonia — pneumococcus. 
It may arise from exposure to cold or wet or from external violence, 
and is usually present in some degree in cases where the ribs have 
been fractured with or without a penetrated wound. 



NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF RESPIRATION ORGANS. 



95 



Symptoms. — In the first stage there is great paiii aggravated by 
movement, and the animal is usually stiff as though foundered, the 
pulse is quick and hard, the breathing abdominal, the chest being 
fixed so far as possible, the inspiration short and jerky, the expiration 
longer. The pain is due to the friction of the dry inflamed pleural 
surfaces of the lung and chest on each other. At this stage the ear 
detects a dry friction murmur, resembling somewhat the sound made 
by rubbing two pieces of sole leather together. Pressure between the 
ribs gives pain and usually causes the animal to flinch and grunt. 
The muzzle is hot and dry, the mouth slimy, and the secretions 
scanty. After a day or two the severity of the symptoms is much 
lessened, the temperature, which during the first days may have been 
as high as 106° F., falls to 103° or 104°, the pain decreases, the 
stiffness disappears, and the patient eats a little. The pulse softens, 
but remains quicker than normal. Now, day by day the patient loses 
a little strength, the friction sound disappears as the exudation mois- 
tens the pleural surfaces; percussion now shows a horizontal line of 
dullness, which day by day rises higher in the chest, the respiration 
gi'ows more frequent and labored, the countenance is anxious and 
haggard, the eyes sink somewhat in their sockets, and in unfavorable 
cases death occurs during the second or third week, either from 
asphyxia or heart failure. 

In pleurisy, as in pneumonia, the elbows are usually turned out- 
ward. Care must be taken to differentiate pleurisy from traumatic 
pericarditis (which see). In the latter condition the area of dullness 
of the heart is much increased, and usually a splashing sound is heard 
at each beat of the heart. Another diagnostic symptom of value is 
that in traumatic pericarditis respiration is painful, not difficult, 
and the respiratory rate is very much increased on movement. In 
both conditions a considerable swelling of the dewlap may be noticed 
in the later stages. 

Treatment. — Give the same general care as recommended in bron- 
chitis or pneumonia. In the early stages give a febrifuge to reduce 
the fever, as directed for pneumonia. For relief of the cough give 
electuary formula, which will be found in the treatment of laryngitis. 
The bowels must be kept relaxed and the kidneys secreting freely. 
In the stage of effusion give the following three times daily : Digi- 
talis tincture, 1 ounce; iodid of potassium, 30 to 60 grains; mix. 
Apply strong counterirritant to chest and put seton in dewlap. 
(See " Setoning," p. 301.) If collapse of the lung is threatened, a 
surgical operation is sometimes performed, termed paracentesis 
thoracis, which consists in puncturing the chest cavity and drawing 
off a part of the fluid. The instruments used are a small trocar and 
cannula, which are introduced between the eighth and ninth ribs. 



96 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Draw the skin forward so that the external wound may not corre- 
spond with the puncture of the chest, to prevent the entrance of air. 
Only a portion of the fluid should be removed. The animal gets 
immediate relief, but it is generally only temporary, as there is a 
tendency for the fluid to accumulate again. 

PNEUMONIA. 

This is an inflammation of the lung substance. It is divided 
into three different forms, viz : First, croupous pneumonia ; second, 
catarrhal pneumonia; and third, interstitial pneumonia. But these 
various fomis can only be differentiated by the expert, and I there- 
fore deem it necessary for the purposes of the present work to treat 
the subject under the general head of pneumonia. 

The causes of pneumonia in general are the same as those of the 
various other inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. The 
germ is called the pneumococcus. It mostly follows congestion of 
the lungs, but may in rare cases have a parasitic origin. 

Symptom's. — In the first stage, that of congestion, the disease is 
usually ushered in by a chill, although this may not always be 
observed by the attendant. This is followed by an elevation of tem- 
perature, usually 105° to 106° F., or it may be even higher. The 
respirations are quick and shallow ; the nostrils are dilated ; the pulse 
is full and hard. Cough may or may not appear in this stage. The 
nose is hot and dry; the tongue sometimes protrudes and is slimy; 
the coat is staring, and the skin dry and harsh. The urine is usually 
diminished in quantity, high colored, and the bowels constipated. 
The animal stands with the forelegs wide apart to facilitate respira- 
tion. On auscultation crepitation will be observed over the portion 
of the limg affected. The sounds elicited on percussion are practi- 
cally normal in this stage. 

In the second stage the temperature generally drops one or two 
degrees, and respiration is performed with much difficulty. The 
cough is frequent and painful. The animal still stands with the fore- 
legs wide apart and the elbows turned outward. If it assumes the 
i*ecumbent position it rests on the sternum. All secretions are more 
or less suspended, jDarticularlj'^ the milk in cows. The animal has a 
haggard appearance, and the pulse becomes small and wiry at this 
period. The extremities are hot and cold alternately ; the crepitation 
which was present in the first stage is now absent, and no sound on 
auscultation will be heard, except it be a slight wheezing or whistling 
noise. On percussion dullness over the diseased lung is manifested, 
indicating consolidation. The lung has now assumed a characteristic 
livxr-like appearance. 



NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF EESPIEATION ORGANS. 97 

In the third stage, if the disease is going to terminate favorably, 
the cough becomes loose, the animal improves, the appetite returns, 
and the symptoms above detailed rapidly subside; but if, on the 
other hand, resolution is not progressing, the lung substance is broken 
down, is heavy, and will sink in water. In fatal cases the breath has 
a peculiar fetid, cadaverous odor, and is taken in short gasps; the 
horns, ears, and extremities become cold and clammy, and the pulse 
is imperceptible. On auscultation, when suppuration is taking place 
and the lung structure is breaking down, a bubbling or gurgling 
crepitation, caused by the passage of air through pus, will be heard. 

Treatment. — Good hygienic surroundings and good nursing are 
essential in connection with the medical treatment. The probability 
of recovery depends largely on the extent of the lung tissue involved, 
as well as on the intensity of the inflammatory process. In the early 
stage, when the fever is high, give febrifuges. If the pulse be strong 
and full, aconite (Fleming's tincture, 1 to 2 drams, every four or five 
hours) may be given for a short time, but should be discontinued as 
soon as the fever begins to abate. Aconite is a valuable drug in the 
hands of the intelligent practitioner, but my experience leads me to 
believe that not infrequently animals are lost by its injudicious use, 
for in many febrile conditions it is positively contra indicated, owing 
to its action upon the heart. In a plethoric animal, with a strong, 
bounding pulse, bleeding may be resorted to instead of administering 
aconite. If the bowels are constipated, give calomel, 1 to 3 drams, 
which acts as a cathartic and a febrifuge. In the second stage diffus- 
ible stimulants are required, viz : Spirits of nitrous ether, 2 ounces ; 
aromatic spirits of ammonia, 1 ounce; mix, and give in gruel three 
times daily. If the above is not at hand, give an alcoholic stimulant. 
Half a pint of brandy or whisky may be given in a quart of gruel 
three times daily. In some cases carbonate of ammonia, 2 to 5 drams, 
has been found beneficial. Most practitioners apply counterirritants 
externally, such as mustard plasters, turpentine, and ammonia lini- 
ment, or cantharides. 

EMPHYSEMA ( HEAVES ) . 

Emphysema consists of a rupture of the minute air vesicles of the 
lung substance, and may be either interlobular or vesicular. There 
is an extreme interference with respiration, inspiration being short 
and expiration prolonged. It is a nonfebrile condition, in which the 
appetite is not decreased and the milk secretion is kept up. It may 
be caused by an attack of asthma or may result from chronic bron- 
chitis. The disease can be diagnosed by the marked interference 
with respiration. The animal, as a rule, is emaciated, has a staring 
coat, and is hidebound. If percussion is resorted to, the animal's 
16923°— 12 7 



98 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

chest will give a tympanic, drum-like sound. The normal resonant 
sound is exaggerated. 

Treatment. — The disease is incurable, and only a palliative form of 
treatment can be carried out. The destruction of the animal is often 
advisable, from a humane as well as from a financial point of view. 

PULMONARY CONGESTION. 

Cattle that are overdriven or overworked are liable to pulmonary 
congestion in an acuate form, and sometimes pulmonary apoplexy. 
In such cases the animal should be allowed to rest ; and if the weather 
be hot, put in a shady place. Give stimulants internally, unload the 
venous side of the heart by bleeding, and apply stimulating applica- 
tions to the legs, and bandage. 

HEMOPTYSIS. 

This is a term used to signify bleeding from the lungs. The trouble 
may result from a previous congestion of the lungs or from a break- 
ing down of the lung substance, or from specific disorders. 

Bleeding from the lungs comes from both nostrils and from the 
mouth. The blood is bright red, frothy, and accompanied by a cough, 
the flow being somewhat profuse and intermingled with mucus. It 
ma}^ cease of its own accord. Internally hemostatics are indicated, 
and locally over the sides cold applications have a tendency to check 
the hemorrhage. Give the animal a drench composed of 1^ drains of 
gallic acid dissolved in a pint of water. 

ABSCESS OF THE LUNG. 

Abscesses of the lung sometimes form during the course of or sub- 
sequent to tuberculosis or other diseases. An animal aflFected with 
abscess of the lung usually has a protracted, feeble cough and a gen- 
eral appearance of emaciation and anemia. The pulse is feeble and 
the breath foul. An offensive discharge from the lungs frequently 
occurs. Percussion and auscultation will aid in making a diagnosis 
in this condition. The appetite is poor. Such animals go from bad 
to worse, and their prompt destruction would, as a rule, be to the 
interest of the owner. 

HYDROTHORAX. 

Hydrothorax, or dropsy of the chest, is not a disease in itself, but 
is simply a condition where an effusion takes place in the chest cavity, 
and is the result or effect of some disease, mostly pleurisy. This con- 
dition can be easily diagnosed by physical signs. A loss of the res- 
piratory murmur will be noticed on auscultation, and on percussion 
dullness or flatness on a line as high as the effusion has taken place. 



NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF RESPIRATION ORGANS. 99 

When there is a large amount of effusion present, tapping with the 
trocar and cannuhi is generally resorted to. The proper method of per- 
forming this operation will be found under the head of " Pleurisy." 

PNEUMOTHORAX. 

An accumulation of gas in the pleural sac is known as pneumo- 
thorax. The presence of air may either result from an injury of the 
lung or a wound communicating from the exterior. The indications 
for treatment are to remove any foreign body that may have pene- 
trated, to exclude the further entrance of the air into the cavity by 
the closure of the external opening, and to employ antiseptics and 
adhesive dressings. The air already in the cavity will in most cases 
be absorbed. 

VERMINOUS BRONCHITIS. 

This is a disease that sometimes attacks young cattle when pas- 
tured in low-lying meadows near rivers subject to flood. It is caused 
by a small worm, Strongylus rrdcrurus^ which lodges in large num- 
bers in the trachea and bronchial tubes, giving rise to considerable 
irritation of the air passages and inflammation. Sometimes the 
strongyles lodge in large numbers in the windpipe, forming them- 
selves into a ball, and thus choke the animal to death. 

Synhptoms. — It is liable to attack a number of animals at once, and 
the weakest are the first to give way. The animal has a remarkably 
forcible cough, distressing, and of a special hacking and paroxysmal 
character. A stringy mucus is sometimes expelled during the spells 
of coughing. This mucus contains the Strongylus micrums^ which 
can be detected, or their ova observed, under a low power of the 
microscope. The attack has a subacute character and proves very 
exhausting. The parasites, by becoming entwined in balls, seriously 
impede respiration, which is always remarkably labored in this dis- 
ease. 

Treatment. — The affected calves should be placed in a dry stable, 
protected from dampness, and subjected to fumigations of sulphurous 
anhydrid or chlorin gas. The liberation of chlorin gas is brought 
about by the action of sulphuric acid, either on a mixture of chlorid 
of sodium and black oxid of manganese or on bleaching powder. 
Sulphurous anhydrid may be procured by burning sulphur. Some 
practitioners prescribe small doses of spirits of turpentine in linseed 
oil. The system requires good support, and the diet should therefore 
be liberal and nutritious. Equal parts of sulphate of iron, gentian, 
and ginger make an excellent tonic. 

Prevention. — Avoid pastures notorious for generating verminous 
bronchitis. 



100 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

PLEURODYNIA. 

This is a term applied to rheumatism of the intercostal muscles. 
The apparent sj^mptoms are quite similar to those of pleurisy. The 
animal is stitf and not inclined to turn around, and the ribs are kept 
in a fixed state as much as possible. Pleurodynia may be distin- 
guished from pleurisy by the coexistence of rheumatism in other 
parts and by the comparative absence of fever, cough, the friction 
soimd, and the effusion into the chest. The treatment for this affec- 
tion is the same as that for rheumatism affecting other parts. 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 

By W. H. Harbaugh, V. S. 
[Revised in 1904 by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.] 

The nervous system is the distinguishing feature of animal life. 
Without it there can be no intelligence, no instinct, no sensibility, no 
perception; in fact, existence would be nothing more than vegetable 
life. 

The senses — touch, taste, sight, hearing, smell — all depend on the 
nervous system. Motion depends on it. A muscle can not contract 
without receiving the stimulus from the nervous system. For ex- 
ample, if a nerve passing from a nerve center to a muscle is severed, 
the particular muscle that is supplied by the cut nerve is paralyzed. 

The nervous system is often studied in two divisions — the cerebro- 
spinal division and the sympathetic division. 

The cerehrospinaZ division consists of the brain and spinal cord, 
nerves, and ganglia. The nerves of this division convey the impulses 
of motion and sensation and supply all parts which are under the 
control of the will. For example, the voluntary muscular tissue 
includes all the muscles w^hich act as the will directs. Another ex- 
ample : If anything comes in contact with any part of the skin, the 
impression is immediately perceived. All the special senses belong 
to this division. 

The sympathetic division consists of nerves and ganglia. The 
muscular tissue, which acts independently of the will — as, for exam- 
ple, the stomach, intestines, womb, blood vessels, ducts, etc. — is called 
involuntary muscular tissue, and receives nervous stimulus from the 
sympathetic division. 

The brain, spinal cord, and the ganglia are the central organs of 
the nervous system. The nerves conduct the nervous influence. The 
nerves terminate differently according to their function. The termi- 
nations are called end organs. The terminal end organs in the skin 
and other parts endowed with sensation receive the impressions, which 
are conveyed to the brain, where they are appreciated. They are so 
sensitive that the most gentle zephyr is perceived. They are so 
abundant that the point of the finest needle can not pierce the skin 
without coming in contact with them, and the sensation of pain is 

101 



102 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

instantly conveyed to the brain. The terminal end organs of the 
nerves that supply the muscles are different, as they give the impulse 
which is conveyed by the motor nerves to the elements which consti- 
tute the muscle, and this impulse is the excitation which causes the 
muscle to contract. The terminal, end organs of the special senses 
of taste, smell, etc., receive their special impressions, and their respec- 
tive nerves carry the impressions to the brain. 

There are two divisions of nerves, the afferent and efferent. 

The afferent nerves are those which convey the impression to the 
nerve centers. All the sensory nerves belong to this division. 

The efferent nerves are those which convey the nervous impulse 
outward from the nerve centers, and they are further classified ac- 
cording to the function of their respective centers. For example: 
Motor fibers carry the impulse from the nerve center to a muscle to 
cause contraction. Vasomotor fibers carry the impulse to the muscu- 
lar tissue in the blood vessels, which regulates iheir caliber. The 
secretory fibers convey the impulse to the cells of the glands and 
excite the activity of the gland, and its particular product is secreted 
or evolved, as, for instance, milk in the mammary gland. Inhibitory 
fibers control or inhibit the action of the organ to which they are 
distributed, as, for instance, the heart. 

Nerve centers may be considered as a collection or group of nerve 
cells. Both the cerebrospinal and the sympathetic divisions have 
nerve centere. The centers derive their special names from their 
functions. The brain is the great center of the nervous system, as it 
is the center of intelligence and perception. The centers of all the 
special senses, as well as the centers of various functions, are located 
in different parts of the brain. Nerve centers also exist in the spinal 
cord and in connection with the sympathetic system. 

A nerve is a cord consisting of a certain number of fibers of nerve 
tissue, inclosed in a sheath of connective tissue. Nerves divide and 
subdivide, sending off branches^ which ramify in all parts of the 
body, and, as they near their terminations, they contain but one or 
two fibers. 

The brain and spinal cord are contained within a bony canal, which 
forms a protective covering for them. 

The spmal cord., or spinal man*ow, lodged within the spinal canal, 
or hollow of the backbone, is continuous with the brain anteriorly, 
and terminates in a point in the sacrum (that part of the spinal 
column which immediately preceds the tail). The spinal cord gives 
off branches at each of the spaces between the segments of the back- 
bone. These branches form nerve trunks which carry both sensory 
and motor impressions and impulses. The spinal cord is a grand 
nerve trunk to carry messages to or from the brain and to and from 
the reflex centers contained within itself. 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 103 

The hrain is contained within tlie cavity of tlVe skull and is con- 
tinuous with the spinal cord; there is nothing to mark the place 
where one leaves off and the other begins. The brain is the seat of 
reason and intelligence. Voluntary effort originates from the brain. 
Coordination, or hamiony of movement, is controlled by the rear 
portion of the brain, known as the cerebellum. 

The meninges are the membranes, three in number, wliich envelop 
the brain and spinal cord, and separate them from the bones which 
fonn the walls of the cranial cavity and spinal canal. 

The synbpathetic^ also called the ganglionic, division of the nervous 
system consists of two chains of ganglia, reaching from the head to 
the tail, situated beneath the spinal column, one on either side. The 
presence of the ganglia or enlargements on the cords give them their 
chainlike appearance. 

The sympathetic nerves are closely connected with the cerebro- 
spinal nerves, but are not under the control of the will. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN AND ITS MEMBRANES (STAGGERS). 

Inflammation of the brain is technically termed encephalitis and 
of its membranes cerebral-meningitis^ but as both conditions usually 
occur together, and since it is practically impossible to distinguish 
one from the other by the symptoms shown by the diseased animal, 
they may as well be considered together here as varieties of the same 
disease. Staggers, coma, frenzy, etc., are terms that are sometimes 
applied to this disease in its different forms or stages. 

Causes. — Severe blows on the head with a hard object, or the head 
coming violently in contact with the ground or other hard substance 
in a fall, may be followed by encephalitis. Irritation caused by 
tumors in the brain may produce inflammation. Food containing 
deleterious matters — for example, ergot (see PI. V) and other fungi 
which contain a narcotic principle — is the most frequent cause of this 
affection, and hence it is often called " grass staggers " and " stomach 
staggers." Highly nitrogenous foods are blamed for causing this dis- 
ease. Parasites, mineral and narcotic poisons^ hot weather, and 
severe exertion or excessive excitement may cause this condition. 
Inflammation of the brain may occur as a complication of some infec- 
tious disease or may follow some forms of indigestion. In many 
localities certain plants have the reputation of causing staggers. 

Sr/mptoms. — The symptoms vary much, but a careful observer will 
detect a trouble connected with the nervous system without much 
uncertainty. The first signs may be those of frenzy, but generally 
at the start the animal is dull and sleepy, with little or no inclination 
to move about; the head may be pressed against the wall or fence 
and the legs kept moving, as if the animal were endeavoring to walk 



104 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

tluougli the obstruction; the body, especially the hind part, may be 
leaned against the side of the stall or stable, as if for support. The 
bowels are constipated ; the urine, when passed, is small in quantity 
and darker in color than natural. There may be trembling and even 
spasms of muscles in different parts. In the dull stage the animal 
may breathe less frequently than is natural, and each breath may be 
accompanied with a snoring-like sound. The pulse may be large and 
less frequent than normal. If suddenly aroused from the drowsy 
state, the animal appears startled and stares wildly. When moving 
about it may stagger, the hind quarters swaying from side to side. 

If delirium ensues, the cow is commonly said to be mad. She may 
bellow, stamp her feet, run about wildly, grate the teeth, froth at the 
mouth. If she is confined in the stable, she rears and plunges; the 
convulsions are so violent in many instances that it is really danger- 
ous for one to attempt to render aid. The body may be covered with 
perspiration. She may fall; the muscles twitch and jerk; often the 
head is raised and then dashed against the ground until blood issues 
from the nose and mouth ; the eyes may be bloodshot and sightless ; 
the limbs stiif and outstretched, or they may be kicked about reck- 
lessly ; the head may be drawn back and the tail drawn up ; the urine 
may be squirted out in spurts; often the " washer " (membrane nicti- 
tans) is forced over the eye. When the convulsions cease they may 
be followed by a period of quiet unconsciousness (coma) which is 
more or less prolonged, when the animal may gradually regain con- 
sciousness, get up on its feet, and perhaps quietly partake of food, if 
there be any within reach, while at other times it arises with much 
difficulty and staggers blindly about the stall or field. 

It must be remembered that all the foregoing symptoms are not 
always seen in the same case. In those cases usually designated 
" sleepy staggers " the general symptoms of drowsiness are presented, 
Avhile in other cases the symptoms of frenzy cause the affection to be 
called " mad staggers." In other cases there are symptoms of paraly- 
sis, swaying of the hind quarters, inability to rise, etc., and sometimes 
these symptoms of paralysis are the most striking manifestations and 
continue until death. Acute cases are accompanied by fever. 

It is well to remark that when the disease follows injuries to the 
head the symptoms may not be manifested until two or three days 
(or longer) after the accident. 

Treatment. — Recoveries are rare in spite of careful attention. To 
be of any service whatever the treatment must be prompt and begin 
with the disease. In the early stage, when the pulse is large, most 
cases will admit of bleeding. Eight or 9 quarts of blood should be 
taken from the jugular vein. This should be followed immediately 
by a purgative, the following for a cow of average size : Epsom salt, 
24 ounces; pulverized gamboge, one-half ounce; croton oil, 20 drops; 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 105 

warm water, 3 quarts; mix all together and give at once as a drench. 
About 2 quarts of warm water or warm soapsuds should be injected 
with a syringe into the rectum every three or four hours. It is best 
to keep the animal in a quiet, sheltered place, where it will be free 
from noise or other cause of excitement. All the cold water the ani- 
mal will drink should be allowed, but food must be withheld, except 
bran slops occasionally in small quantities, or grass, if in season, 
which may be cut and carried fresh to the patient. 

The skull must be examined, and if sign of injury is found, appro- 
priate surgical treatment should be given. 

During the convulsions all possible efforts should be made to pre- 
vent the animal injuring itself. The head should be held down on 
the ground and straw kept under it. Cold water may be continu- 
ously poured on the head, or bags filled with ice broken in small 
pieces may be applied to the head. Different authors recommend 
different remedies to allay the convulsions, but for two reasons it will 
be found extremely difficult to administer medicines during the con- 
vulsions: (1) While the animal is unconscious the power to swallow 
is lost, and therefore the medicine is more liable to go down the wind- 
pipe to the lungs than it is to go to the paunch; (2) the convulsions 
are often so violent that it would be titterly useless to attempt to 
drench the animal ; and furthermore it must be borne in mind that 
during this stage the ftinctions of digestion and absorption are sus- 
pended, and as a consequence the medicine (provided it finds its way 
to the paunch) is likely to remain there unabsorbed and therefore 
useless. 

A blistering compound, composed of mustard, 1 ounce ; pulverized 
cantharides, one-half ounce; hot wat^r, 4 ounces, well mixed together, 
may be rubbed in over the loins, along the spine, and back of the 
head on each side of the neck. This is occasionally attended with 
beneficial effect, and especially so in those cases when paralysis is 
present. 

If the purgative acts and the animal shows signs of improvement 
in the course of two or three days, 2 drams of iodid of potassium may 
be given every night and morning, dissolved in a half bucketful of 
drinking water, if the animal will drink it, or it may be dissolved in a 
half pint of water and given as a drench. Great care must be ob- 
served in regard to the food, which should be nutritive, but not coarse, 
and at first in small quantities, gradually increased as the patient 
improves. After some progress is made toward recovery 1^ drams of 
pulverized nux vomica may be given twice a day, added to the iodid 
of potassium drench. This should be administered so long as a stag- 
gering gait continues. 

In those rare cases when recovery takes place it is only partial as a 
rule, as there is generally a sequel which remains, such as partial 



106 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

paralysis. Howevei-j this is but a slight drawback in cattle, because 
when it is seen to persist the medicine should be stopped and the ani- 
mal fattened for butchering. 

Post-mortem examinations discover congestion of the brain and its 
membranes. In those cases which have exhibited much paralysis of 
the hind legs before death the cord may be congested in the lumbar 
region (loins). When the disease has been caused by injury to the 
liead, the congestion and extra vasa ted blood may be found inside of 
the cavity in the location corresponding to the place where the injury 
was inflicted externally. In some cases pus is also discovered. It 
remains to be said that in all animals that have died from this affec- 
tion the lungs are found very much congested. This may lead the 
superficial observer to suppose that the disease was a lung affection, 
but in fact it is only a natural consequence when death ensues from 
brain disease. 

APOPLEXY. 

That form of congestion of the brain known as parturient apo- 
plexy, or parturient paresis, which is so frequently associated with the 
period of calving, is described in another part of this work. (See 
" Milk fever," p. 228.) 

Cerebral apoplexy, not connected with parturition, is a rare disease 
among cattle. However, it may be due to degeneration and conse- 
quent rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. 

The attack is sudden, the animal in most cases falling as if it had 
received a blow on the head. It may stagger and reel some time 
before going down. After falling, there are convulsive movements 
of the legs or the animal sinks into insensibility. There may be re- 
missions in the severity of the symptoms, but the pressure from the 
continued escape of blood soon causes death. Rest, quiet, friction 
to the legs and surface, frequent turning of the animal and cold to 
the head are to be practiced, if treatment is attempted. 

CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN. 

There is a form of congestive apoplexy affecting cattle which are 
in a plethoric condition. The congestion, or overfilling with blood, 
causes pressure on the brain substance and disorganizes its function. 
It occurs mostly in hot weather. In this disease the symptoms are 
somewhat similar to those exhibited when the animal has encephalitis, 
but the onset is more sudden, the duration is shorter, and there is less 
fever. There may be frenzy or coma, or alternations one with the 
other. The intelligence is diminished, staring eyes, bracing with the 
legs, pressing against the stall partition or manger, red mucous mem- 
branes. This condition usually terminates in recovery. 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 107 

In such cases bleeding should be resorted to immediately, aud when 
the power of swallowing is not lost purgatives should be admin- 
istered. Cold applications to the head, and the general treatment 
recommended for encephalitis are indicated. 

CONCUSSION or THE BRAIN. 

Severe blows on the head, striking the head against some hard ob- 
ject while running, or falling on the head, may cause concussion of 
the brain. The injury may fracture bones of the cranium and pro- 
duce compression of the brain. 

Symptoms and treatment. — The symptoms and the treatment that 
is indicated differ very little from what has been said under conges- 
tion of the brain and under encephalitis. In some cases it may be 
necessary to operate to remove a piece of bone that is pressing on the 
brain or to remove a clot of blood under the area which received the 
blow. 

EPILEPSY. 

This affection is characterized by the occurrence of sudden convul- 
sions. The animal may appear to be in a fair state of health usually, 
but at any time, in the stable or in the field, it may have a convulsion 
in which it will fall and lose consciousness. Epilepsy must not be 
confounded with vertigo — the fainting which is an effect of heart 
troubles. 

The exact cause of epilepsy in the majority of cases is unknown. 
Post-mortem examinations in many instances have failed to discover 
any lesion in connection with the brain or nervous system ; while in 
other instances disease of the brain has been found in the form of 
thickening of the membranes, abscesses, and tumors, and in some 
cases the affection has been manifested in connection with a diseased 
condition of the blood. The cause has also been traced to reflex irri- 
tation, due to teething, worms, and chronic indigestion. 

Treatment. — When the affection is due to the last-named causes 
treatment may be successful if the cause is removed. If there are 
symptoms of worms or of indigestion, follow the general treatment 
advised for those troubles under their proper heads. If due to irrita- 
tion caused by teething, the inflamed gums must, be lanced. Exami- 
nation of the mouth often develops the fact that one of the temporary 
teeth causes much irritation by remaining unshed, and thereby inter- 
fering with the growth of a permanent tooth. The offending tooth 
should be extracted. When the cause of epilepsy can not be dis- 
covered, it must be confessed that there is no prospect of a cure. 
However, some benefit may be expected from the occasional admin- 
istration of a purgative dose of medicine. A pound of Epsom salt 



108 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

dissolved in a quart of warm water, for a cow of average size, may be 
given as a drench once or twice a month. In addition to the purga- 
tive, 4 drams of bromid of potassium, dissolved in the drinking 
water, three times a da}^, has proved very beneficial in some cases. 

SUNSTROKE (PROSTRATION FROM HEAt). 

Owing to the fact that cattle are seldom put to work at which they 
would have to undergo severe exertion, especially in collars, they are 
not frequently prostrated by the extreme heat of the summer months. 
When at pasture they select the coolest places in the shade of trees, 
in water, etc., when the heat becomes oppressive, and thereby avoid, 
as much as possible, the effects of it. 

It does happen, however, that cattle that have been kept up for the 
purpose of fattening, when driven some distance in very hot weather, 
are sometimes prostrated, but it must be remembered that it is not 
really necessary for the animal to be exposed to the rays of the sun, as 
those confined in hot, close places may suffer. This often happens in 
shipping, when they are crowded together in cars. 

Symptoms. — The premonitory signs are those of exhaustion — dull- 
ness, panting, frothing at the mouth, tongue hanging out, irregular 
gait, uneasiness, palpitation — when, if the circumstances which tend 
to the prostration are not mitigated, the animal staggers or sways 
from side to side, falls, struggles for a while, and then gradually 
becomes quiet, or the struggles may continue, with repeated but inef- 
fectual efforts to regain a standing position. In serious cases the 
attack may be very sudden, unconsciousness occurring without con- 
tinued or distressing premonitory symptoms. 

Treatment. — At first, when not very serious, removal to a quiet, 
sheltered place, with a few days on a reduced diet, is all that need be 
done, ^^^len the animal has fallen, apply cold water or ice to the 
head; rub the body and limbs with cloths or wisps of straw, and con- 
tinue the rubbing for a considerable time. If the power of swallow- 
ing is not lost (which may be ascertained by pouring a little cold 
water into the mouth), give 3 drams of stronger liquor ammonia, 
diluted with a quart of cold water. Be very careful in drenching the 
animal when lying down. Repeat the drench in a half hour and an 
hour after the first one has been given. Instead of the ammonia, a 
drench composed of 3 ounces of spirits of nitrous ether in a pint of 
water may be given, if more convenient, but the ammonia drench 
is preferable. If unconsciousness continues, so that a drench can not 
be administered, the same quantity of ammonia and water may be 
injected with a syringe into the rectum. The popular aqua ammonia, 
commonh^ called " hartshorn," will do as well as the stronger liquor 
ammonia, but as it is weaker than the latter the dose for a cow is 



DISEASES or THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 109 

about 1^ ounces, which should be diluted with a quart of water before 
it is given to the animal, either as a drench or an enema. When am- 
monia can not be obtained, a pint of whisky in a quart of water or 
an ounce of tincture of digitalis may be given. 

As soon as the animal is able to rise it should be assisted and moved 
to the nearest shelter. All the cold water it will drink should be 
allowed. The ammonia or spirits of nitrous ether drench should 
be administered eveiy three hours so long as there is much failure of 
strength. The diet should be limited for several days — bran slops and 
a little grass. Allien signs of returning strength are presented, 12 
ounces of Epsom salt dissolved in a quart of warm water may be 
given in those cases which have been down and unconscious, but do 
not give it while much weakness remains, which may be for several 
days after the attack. The flesh of an animal that is suffering from 
heat stroke should not be prepared for use as food. On account of 
the fever with which the animal suffers, the flesh contains toxins that 
may render it poisonous to the consumer. 

INJURIES TO THE SPINAL CORD. 

The spinal cord is liable to concussion from blows and falls, and 
paralysis, to a greater or less extent, may be the result. Fracture, 
with displacement of the bones (vertebrae) which form the spinal 
column, by compressing the spinal cord, produces paralysis, which 
varies in its effect according to the part of the cord that is compressed. 
If the fracture is above the middle of the neck, death soon follows, as 
communication between the brain and diaphragm (the essential 
muscle of inspiration) is stopped. \"\nien the fracture is farther down 
in the neck, posterior to the origin of the phrenic nerve, the breath- 
ing continues, but there is paralysis in all parts posterior to the 
fracture, including the fore and hind legs. When the fracture is in 
the region of the loins the hind legs are paralyzed, but the fore legs 
are not. If the fracture is in the sacrum (the division of the spinal 
column between the loins and the tail), the tail alone is paralyzed. 

As a matter of course, when the back is broken there is no remedy ; 
the animal should be killed at once. 

PARALYSIS. 

Paralysis, or loss of motion in a part, may be due to a lesion of the 
brain, of the spinal cord, or of a nerve. It may also be caused by 
reflex irritation. When the paralysis affects both sides of the body, 
posterior to a point, it is further designated by the name paraplegia. 
When one side of the body (a lateral half) is paralyzed, the term 
hemiplegia is applied to the affection. When paralysis is caused by 
a lesion of a nerve, the paralysis is confined to the particular part 
supplied by the affected nerve. 



110 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

As already pointed out, paralysis may be due to concussion of the 
spine, fracture of a bone of the spinal column with consequent com- 
pression of the spinal cord, concussion of the brain, or compression of 
the brain. An injury to one side of the brain may produce paralysis 
of the same side of the head, and of the opposite side of the body 
hemiplegia. Paralysis may occur in connection with parturient 
apoplexy, lead poisoning-, ergotism, etc, 

CONGESTION OF THE SPINAL CORD. 

Paraplegia., or paralj'sis of the rear part of the body, is the domi- 
nant symptom in congestion or inflammation of the spinal cord. The 
cause is not known, but the disease is probably due to chilling. It is 
thought by some that some toxic influence (poison) may be responsi- 
ble for its development. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms usually appear suddenly, and consist 
in inability to stand. Sometimes this is preceded by a period of 
excitement. The animal usually lies quietly, but sometimes it groans 
and tosses its head about in a way that indicates pain. Cows heavy 
with calf are sometimes affected with a form of paraplegia, which 
usually attacks them from about a month to a few days before 
calving. Apparently they are in good health in every respect except 
the inability to stand up on account of the paralysis of the hind 
quarters. This form is generally attributed to feeding on foods con- 
taining insufficient protein and ash. It is most likely to occur in 
cows that are weak and thin. With good care and food recovery 
usually occurs. 

Treatm,ent. — The animal must be given a soft, dry bed under shel- 
ter and in a quiet, airy place. It is well to apply mustard along the 
spine. The action of the mustard may be intensified by rubbing 
the skin with ammonia or turpentine. Internally give a purge of 
Glauber's salt. Nux vomica or strychnia (1 to 2 grain doses) may 
be given. Turn the cow two to four times daily and rub the legs 
well each time. 

There are instances when cows will persist in lying down (in spite 
of all efforts that are made to compel them to stand up), when it can 
not really be said that they are paralyzed. They have sensation in 
all parts; they can move all their feet : they can change their position ; 
and in fact every function seems to be normally perfonned, but they 
obstinately refuse to rise, or even make an effort to do so. Cases of 
this kind have been killed, as it was an utter impossibility to get 
the animal on its feet. However, there are instances when a cow, 
after refusing to rise when all other means had been tried, quickly 
jumped to her feet and showed fright upon the appearance of a dog 
or other terrifying object. 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. Ill 

RABIES (hydrophobia). 

[See discussion of this disease in chapter on " Infectious diseases," p. 410.] 
LIGHTNING STROKE ( ASPHYXIA ELECTRICa). 

When an animal is struck by lightning the shock is instantaneously 
expended on the nervous sy-stem, and as a rule death occurs immedi- 
ately, but when the shock is not fatal animation is suspended to a 
greater or less extent, as evidenced by prostration, unconsciousness, 
and paralysis. 

SyTnptorrvs. — When not fatal, the symptoms vary much, according 
to the severity of the shock. The animal usually falls, as from an 
apoplectic attack, and, as a matter of course, the symptoms are such 
as are generally manifested in connection with concussion of the 
brain. The muscular system may be completely relaxed; the legs 
limber; the muscles flabby and soft to the touch ; or there may be con- 
vulsions, spasms, and twitching of the muscles. The breathing is 
generally labored, irregular, or interrupted, and slower than normal. 

In most instances the electrical fluid leaves its mark by singeing the 
hair, or by inflicting wounds, burns, or blisters. " Sir B. Brodie 
tells a curious story of two bullocks, pied white and red, which were 
struck in different storms. In both cases the white hairs were con- 
sumed, while the red ones escaped." 

Treatment. — So long as the beating of the heart is perceptible the 
endeavor to resuscitate the animal should be continued. Dash cold 
water over the head and body; rub the body and legs; smartly whip 
the body with wet towels or switches. Mustard, mixed with water, 
should be well rubbed over the legs and back of the head on each side 
of the neck. Inject into the rectum 4 drams of stronger liquor 
ammonia, or 11 ounces of hartshorn diluted with a quart of warm 
water. Cautiously hold an uncorked bottle of hartshorn to the nos- 
trils, so that some of it is inhaled, but care should be taken that too 
much is not suddenlj^ inhaled. 

In desperate cases artificial respiration should be tried, as follows: 
With both hands spread out to cover a large surface, press on the 
abdomen (behind the ribs) and then on the chest (behind the shoul- 
ders), and continue in this manner, fii*st on the abdomen and then on 
the chest in regular order, so that the chest and abdomen are each 
pressed on alternately about 20 times a minute. The pressure should 
be slow and steady, so that the movement given by it to the walls of 
the chest and abdomen will resemble their motion in breathing. A 
hand bellows may be used as an aid to the foregoing method, as fol- 
lows: Each time after the chest is pressed on, the nozzle is inserted 
in the nostril and air slowly and gently forced in by the bellows. 



112 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

AVhen the animal revives sufficiently to be able to swallow, 4 drams 
of the stronger liquor ammonia, diluted Avith a quart of cold water, 
should be given as a drench, and the dose should be repeated in an 
hour. One and one-half ounces of ordinary hartshorn may be used 
instead of the stronger liquor ammonia, but, like the latter, it should 
be diluted with a quart or more of water, and even then care should 
be exercised in drenching. 

In cases where the shock has not caused complete insensibility 
recovery may be hastened by the ammonia and water drench, or 4 
ounces of brandy diluted with a quart of water, or 8 ounces of whisky 
diluted with a quart of Avater. These doses may be given every three 
or four hours if necessary. After recovery from the more serious 
symptoms 2 drams of sulphate of quinine should be given twice a 
day until health is restored. If any paralysis remains 1^ drams of 
pulverized nux vomica should be given twice a day with the quinine. 

The foregoing treatment is also applicable when the electrical 
shock is given by telephone, electric car, or electric-light wires, etc. 
The Avounds, burns, or blisters should be treated according to the 
antiseptic method of treating Avounds. 

TUMORS IN THE BRAIN, ETC. 

Tumors of different kinds have been found within the cranial cav- 
ity, and in many cases there have been no Avell-marked symptoms 
exhibited during the life of the animal to lead one to suspect their 
existence. Cases are recorded where bony tumors have been found 
in the brain of cattle that died suddenly, but during life no signs of 
disease Avere manifested. Post-mortem examinations haA^e discoA-ered 
tubercles in the membranes of the brain. (See "Tuberculosis," p. 
414.) Abscesses, usually the result of inflammation of the brain, 
have been found post-mortem. For the description of hydrocephalus, 
or dropsy of the brain, of calves, the reader is referred to the section 
on parturition. (See " Water in the head," p. 181.) 

Chorea, constant tAvitching and irregular spasmodic movements of 
the muscles, has been noticed in connection with, or as a sequel to 
otliei- affections, as, for example, parturient apoplexy. 

Various diseases, the description of Avhich Avill be found in other 
sections of this work, affect the iierA^ous system to a greater or less 
extent — for example, ergotism, lead poisoning, uremia, parturient 
apoplexy, colic, and other affections associated with cramps, or 
spasms, etc. Disease of the ovaries or of the spinal cord, by reflex 
irritation, may cause estromania (see "Excess of venereal desire," 
p. 148), constant desire for the bull. 



DISEASES OF THE UKINARY ORGANS. 

By Jamj:s Law, F. R. C. V. S., 
Professor of Veterinary Science, etc., in Cornell Vnirersity. 

Of the materials that have served their purpose in building up the 
animal body or in sustaining the bodily temperature, and that are 
now to be thrown out as waste, the greater part are expelled from the 
system through the lungs and the kidneys, but the agents that pass 
out by either of these two channels differ in the main from those 
passing by the other. Thus from the lungs in the form of dioxid 
of carbon — the same gas that comes from burning of coal or oil — 
there escapes most of the waste material resulting from the destruc- 
tion in the system of fats, sugars, starch, and such other foods as are 
wanting in the element nitrogen, and do not form fibrous tissues, but 
go mainly to support animal heat or maintain functional activity. 
From the kidneys, on the other hand, are thrown out the waste prod- 
ucts resulting from the destruction of the foods and tissues contain- 
ing nitrogen — of, for instance, albumin, fibrin, gluten, casein, gela- 
tin, woody tissue, etc. While much of the waste material containing 
nitrogen leaves the body by the bowels, this is virtually such only of 
the albuminoid food as has failed to be fully digested and absorbed, 
and this has never formed a true constituent part of the body itself 
or of the blood, but is so much waste food, like that which has come 
to the table and been carried away again unused. "NA^iere the albu- 
minoid food element has entered the blood, whether or not it has been 
built up into a constituent part of the structure of the body, its waste 
products, which contain nitrogen, are in the main expelled through 
the kidneys, so that these organs become the principal channels for 
the expulsion of all nitrogen-containing waste. 

It would be an error, however, to infer that all nitrogenous food, 
when once digested and absorbed into the blood, must necessarily 
leave the system in the urine. On the contraiy, in the young and 
growing animal all increase of the fibrous structures of the body is 
gained through the building up of those flesh-forming constituents 
into their substance; in the pregnant animal the growth of the off- 
spring and its envelopes has a similar origin, and in the dairy cow 
the casein or curd of the milk is a means of constant elimination of 
these nitrogen-containing agents. Thus, in the breeding cow and, 
above all, in the milking cow, the womb or udder carries on a work 
in one sense equivalent to that otherwise performed by the kidneys. 
16923°— 12 8 113 



114 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Not only are these organs alike channels for the excretion of albu- 
minous products, but they are also related to each other structurally 
and by nervous sympathy, so that suffering in the one is liable to 
induce some measure of disorder in the other. 

This nitrogenous waste matter is mainly present in the urine of 
cattle, as of other mammals, in the form of urea, but also, to some 
extent, as hippuric acid, a derivative of vegetable food which, in the 
herbivora, replaces the uric acid found in the urine of man and car- 
nivora. Uric acid is, however, found in the urine of sucking calves 
which have practically an animal diet, and it may also appear in the 
adult in case of absolute and prolonged starvation, and in diseases 
attended by complete loss of appetite and rapid wasting of the body. 
In such cases the animal lives on its own substance, and the product 
is that of the wasting flesh. 

The other, products containing nitrogen are only present in small 
amount, and need not be specially referred to. The urine of cattle 
contains much less of carbonates than does that of the horse, and 
effervesces less on the addition of an acid. As the carbonates form 
a large proportion of the solid deposits (gravel, stone) from the 
horse's urine, the ox may thus be held less liable ; yet even in the ox 
the carbonates become abundant or scanty, according to the nature of 
the food, and therefore gravel, formed by carbonate of lime, is not 
infrequent in cattle. When fed on beets, clover hay, or bean straw, 
carbonates are present in large amount, these aliments being rich in 
organic acids and alkaline carbonates; whereas upon oat straw, 
barley straw, and, above all, wheat straw, they are in small amount. 
In calves fed on milk alone no carbonates are found in the urine. 

Phosphates, usually in combination with lime, are, as a rule, pres- 
ent only in traces in the urine of cattle; yet on a dietary of wheat, 
bran, or other aliment rich in phosphates, these may be present in 
large amount, so that they render the liquid cloudy or are deposited 
in solid crystals. The liquid is rendered transparent by nitric acid. 

The cow's urine, on a diet of hay and potatoes, contained : 

Parts. 

Urea 18.5 

Potassic hippurate 16. 5 

Alkaline lactates 17. 2 

Potassium bicarbonate 16. 1 

Magnesium carbonate 4.7 

Lime carbonate 0.6 

Potassium sulphate 3.6 

Common salt 1. 5 

Silica Trace. 

Phosphates 0. 

Water and undetermined substances 921. 3 

Total 1, 000. 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 



115 



The following table after Tereg^ gives the different conditions of 
the urine, and especially the amount of urea and hippuric acid under 
different rations. The subjects were two oxen, weighing, respectively, 
1,260 pounds and 1.060 pounds : 



Food per day (pounds). 





a 


(A 

1 
ft 


.g 

3 

a 

O 


T3 

1 

3 

a 


03 


as 

"^ o 

a 0) 

b£-'^ OS 

2S£ 

.■S P,3 


d 
'3 

o 


>> 

03 

'O 
u 

t3 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 




P.ct. 


P.ct. 


P.ct. 


P.ct. 


P.ct. 


Ozs. 


46.46 


7.40 


1,036 


8.41 


2.66 


1.33 


0.83 


0.94 


1.63 


61.10 


15.26 


1,039 


6.93 


2.09 


0.84 


0.55 


0.49 


2.2 


71.76 


12.36 


1,043 


8.05 


0.95 


1.85 


0.93 


0.94 


3.83 


80.54 


12.46 


1,044 


8.29 


8.07 


2.41 


1.19 


1.11 


5.8 


78.96 


17.62 


1,043 


8.41 


0.74 


3.12 


1.45 


1.24 


9.17 


110.12 


25.86 


1,038 


7.00 


0.31 


2.49 


1.19 


1.25 


10.9 


101.80 


27.04 


1,037 


7.14 


0.20 


2.95 


1.39 


1.58 


13.3 


119.00 


23.20 


1,038 


7,74 


0.21 


4.06 


1.91 


1.69 


15.4 


54.84 


12.60 


1,043 


7.06 


0.40 


2.53 


1.21 


1.15 


5.3 


55.76 


16.34 


1,036 


5.45 


0.11 


1.41 


0.67 


0.64 


3.83 


36.26 


15.14 


1,042 


7.91 


1.30 


1.73 


0.91 


0.92 


4.37 



go. 



16.90 wheat straw, and 1.30 bean 
meal 

14.70 oat straw, and 2.30 bean meal. . 

10.4 wheat straw, 10.4 clover hay, 
0.6 bean meal, and 2.6 starch 

10.4 wheat straw, 10.4 clover hay, 
2.7 bean meal, 1.4 starch, and 0.8 
sugar 

10.4 wheat straw, 10.4 clover hay, 5 
bean meal, and 0.8 sugar 

10 wheat straw, 10 clover hay, 6.4 
bean meal, 1.7 starch, 4 sugar, 
and 0.4 rape oil 

10 wheat straw, 10 clover hay, 9.4 
bean meal, 3.1 sugar, and 0.4 rape 
oil 

10 wheat straw, 10 clover hay, 11.7 
bean meal, 2.8 starch, and 0.6 
rape oil 

17.86 bean straw, and 1.6 bean meal. 

14.88 bean straw 

16.90 meadow hay 



Ozs. 

3.23 
5.3 

1.96 

2.1 
2.17 

1.33 

0.9 



0.8 
0.83 
0.3 
3.3 



The varying amount of urea (from 1.6 to 15 A ounces) is most sug- 
gestive as to the action of the more or less nitrogenous food and the 
resulting concentration of the urine and blood. Hippuric acid, on 
the other hand^ is most abundant when the animal is fed on hay and 
straw. 

The specific gravity of the urine of cattle varies from 1,030 to 1,060 
in health, water being 1,000. It is transparent, with a yellowish tinge, 
and has a characteristic musky smell. The chemical reaction is alka- 
line, turning red litmus paper blue. The quantity passed in twenty- 
four hours varies greatly, increasing not only with the amount of 
water drunk, but with the amount of albuminoids taken in with the 
food and the amount of urea produced. If a solution of urea is 
injected into the veins the secretion of urine is greatly augmented. 
Similarly the excess of salts like carbonate of potash in the food, or 
of sugar, increases the action of the kidneys. Only about 20 per cent 
of the water swallowed escapes in the urine, the remaining 80 per cent 



1 Encyklop. der Thlerheilk., Vol. IV. p. 208. 



116 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

passing mostly from the lungs, and to a slight extent by the bowels. 
The skin of the ox does not perspire so readily nor so freely as that 
of the horse; hence the kidneys and lungs are called upon for extra 
work. The influence of an excess of water in the food is most re- 
markable in swill-fed distillery cattle, which urinate profusely at 
frequent intervals and yet thrive and fatten rapidly. 

Among the other conditions that increase the flow of urine is over- 
filling of (internal pressure in) the blood vessels of the kidneys. 
Hence the contraction of the blood vessels of the skin by cold drives 
the blood inward, tends to dilate the blood vessels of the kidneys, 
and to increase the secretion of urine. Nervous disorders, such as 
excitement, fear, congestions, or structural injuries to the back part 
of the base of the brain have a similar result. Hence, doubtless, the 
action of certain fungi growing in musty hay or oats in producing 
profuse flow of urine, whereas other forms of musty fodder cause 
stupor^ delirium, or paralysis. Bacteria and their products are 
mainly expelled by the kidneys, and become sources of local infection, 
iiTitation, and disease. 

The amount of urine passed daily by an ox on dry feeding averages 
7 to 12 pints, but this may be increased enormously on a watery diet. 

The mutual influence of the kidneys and other important organs 
tends to explain the way in which disease in one part supervenes on 
preexisting disorder in another. The introduction of albuminoids in 
excess into the blood means the formation of an excess of urea, and a 
more profuse secretion of urine, of a higher specific gravity, and 
with a greater tendency to deposit its solid constituents, as gravel, in 
the kidneys or bladder. A torpid action of the liver, leaving the 
albuminoids in transition forms, less soluble than the urea into which 
they should have been changed^ favors the onset of rheumatism or 
nervous disorder, the deposit of such albuminoid products in the kid- 
neys, the formation of a deep-brown or reddish urine, and congestion 
of the kidneys. Any abnormal activity of the liver in the production 
of sugar — more than can be burned up in the circulation — over- 
stimulates the kidneys and produces increased flow of a heavy urine 
with a sweetish taste. This increased production of sugar may be 
primarily due to disease of the brain, which, in its turn, determines 
the disorder of the liver. Disease of the right side of the heart or of 
the lungs, by obstructing the onward flow of blood from the veins, 
increases the blood pressure in the kidneys and produces disorder 
and excessive secretion. Inactivity of the kidneys determines an 
increase in the blood of waste products, which become irritating to 
different parts, producing skin eruptions, itching, dropsies, and nerv- 
ous disorders. Sprains of the loins will produce bleeding from the 
kidneys and disease of the spinal cord, and determine sometimes 
albuminous or milky-looking urine. 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 117 

The kidney of the ox (PI. IX, fig. 1) is a compound organ made up 
of 15 to 25 separate lobules like so many separate kidneys, but all 
pouring their secretion into one common pouch (pelvis) situated in 
an excavation in the center of the lower surface. While the ox is the 
only domesticated quadruped which maintains this divided condition 
of the kidney after birth, this condition is common to all while at an 
early stage of development in the womb. The cluster of lobules 
making up a single kidney forms an ovoid mass flattened from above 
downward, and extending from the last rib backward beneath the 
loins and to one side of the solid chain of the backbone. The right 
is more firmly attached to the loins and extends farther backward 
than the left. Deeply covered in a mass of suet, each kidney has a 
strong outer white, fibrous covering, and inside this two successive 
layers of kidney substance, of which the outer is that in which the 
urine is mainly separated from the blood and poured into the fine 
microscopic urinary ducts. (PI. X, fig. 1.) These latter, together 
with blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves, make up the second, or 
internal, layer. The outer layer is mainly composed of minute glob- 
ular clusters of microscopic intercommunicating blood vessels (Mal- 
phigian bodies), each of which is furnished with a fibrous capsule 
that is nothing else than the dilated commencement of a urine tube. 
These practically microscopic tubes follow at first a winding course 
through the outer layer (Ferrein's tubes), then form a long loop 
(doubling on itself) in the inner layer (Henle's loop), and finally 
pass back through the inner layer (Bellini's tubes) to open through 
a conical process into the common pouch (pelvis) on the lower surface 
of the organ. (PL X, figs. 1, 2, 3.) 

The tube that conveys the urine from the kidney to the bladder is 
like a white, round cord, about the size of a goose quill, prolonged 
from the pouch on the lower surface of the kidney backward beneath 
the loins, then inward, supported by a fold of thin membrane, to 
open into the bladder just in front of its neck. The canal passes first 
through the middle (muscular) coat of the bladder, and then ad- 
vances perceptibly between that and the internal (mucous) coat, 
through which it finally opens. By this arrangement in overfilling 
of the bladder this opening is closed like a valve by the pressure of the 
urine, and the return of liquid to the kidney is«prevented. The blad- 
der (PI. IX, fig. 2) is a dilatable egg-shaped pouch, closed behind by 
a strong ring of muscular fibers encircling its neck, and enveloped by 
looped muscular fibers extending on all sides around its body and 
closed anterior end. Stimulated by the presence of urine, these last 
contract and expel the contents through the neck into the urethra. 
This last is the tube leading backward along the floor of the pelvic 
bones and downward through the penis. In the bull this canal of the 
urethra is remarkable for its small caliber and for the S-shaped bend 



118 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

which it describes in the interval between the thighs and just above 
the scrotum. This bend is due to the fact that the retractor muscles 
are attached to the penis at this point, and in withdrawing that organ 
within its "sheath they double it upon itself. The small size of the 
canal and this S-shaped bend are serious obstacles to the passing of a 
catheter to draw off the urine, yet by extending the penis out of its 
sheath the bend is effaced, and a small gum-elastic catheter, not over 
one-fourth of an inch in diameter, may with care be passed into the 
bladder. In the cow the urethra is very short, opening in the median 
line on the floor of the vulva about 4 inches in front of its external 
orifice. Even in the cow, however, the passing of a catheter is a 
matter of no little difficulty, the opening of the urethra being very 
narrow and encircled by the projecting membranous and rigid mar- 
gins, and on each side of the opening is a blind pouch (canal of 
Gartner) into which the catheter will almost invariably find its way. 
In both male and female, therefore, the passage of a catheter is an 
operation which demands special skill. 

General syTThptoTns of urinary disorders. — These are not so promi- 
nent in cattle as in horses, yet when present they are of a similar 
kind. There is a stiff or straddling gait with the hind limbs and some 
difficulty in turning or in lying down and rising, the act drawing 
forth a groan. The frequent passage of urine in driblets, the con- 
tinuous escape of the urine in drops, the sudden arrest of the flow 
when in full stream, the rhythmic contraction of the muscles under 
the anus without any flow resulting, the swelling of the sheath, the 
collection of hard, gritty masses on the hair surrounding the orifice 
of the sheath, the occurrence of dropsies in the limbs under the chest 
or belly, or in either of these cavities, and finally the appearance of 
nervous stupor, may indicate serious disorder of the urinary organs. 
The condition of the urine passed may likewise lead to suspicion. It 
may be white, from crystallized carbonate of lime; brown, red, or 
even black, from the presence of blood or blood-coloring matter; 
yellow, from biliary coloring matter; it may be frothy, from con- 
tained albumin; cloudy, from phosphates; glairy, from pus; or it 
may show gritty masses, from gravel. In many cases of urinary dis- 
order in the ox, however, the symptoms are by no means prominent, 
and unless special examination is made of the loins, the bladder, and 
the urine the true nature of the malady may be overlooked. 

DIURESIS (polyuria, DIABETES, INSIPIDUS, EXCESSIVE SECRETION OF 

urine). 

A secretion of urine in excess of the normal amount may be looked 
on as disease, even if the result does not lead to immediate loss of 
condition. Cattle fed on distillery swill are striking examples of such 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 119 

excess caused by the enormous consumption of a liquid food, which 
nourishes and fattens in spite of the diuresis; but the condition is 
unwholesome, and cattle that have passed four or five months in a 
swill stable have fatty livers and kidneys, and never again do well on 
ordinary food. Diuresis may further occur from increase of blood 
pressure in the kidneys (diseases of the heart or lungs which hinder 
the onward passage of the blood, the eating of digitalis, English 
broom, the contraction of the blood vessels on the surface of the body 
in cold weather, etc.) ; also from acrid or diuretic plants taken with 
the food (dandelion, burdock, colchicum, digitalis, savin, resinous 
shoots, etc.) ; from excess of sugar in the food (beets, turnips, ripe 
sorghum) ; also from the use of frozen food (frosted turnip tops and 
other vegetables), and from the growths of certain molds in fodder 
(musty hay, mow-burnt hay, moldy oats, moldy bread, etc.). Finally, 
alkaline waters and alkaline incrustations on the soil may be active 
causes. In some of these cases the result is beneficial rather than in- 
jurious, as when cattle affected with gravel in the kidneys are en- 
tirely freed from this condition by a run at grass, or by an exclusive 
diet of roots or swill. In other cases, however, the health and condi- 
tion suffer, and even inflammation of the kidneys may occur. 

Treatment. — The treatment is mainly in the change of diet to a 
more solid aliment destitute of the special offensive ingredient. 
Boiled flaxseed is often the best diet or addition to the wholesome 
dry food, and, by way of medicine, doses of 2 drams each of sulphate 
of iron and iodid of potassium may be given twice daily. In obsti- 
nate cases, 2 drams ergot of rye or of catechu may be added. 

BLOODY URINE (rED WATER, MOOR-ILL, WOOD-ILL, HEMATURIA, HEMA- 

globinuria). 

This is a common affection among cattle in certain localities, above 
all on damp, undrained lands, and under a backward agriculture. It 
is simply bloody urine or hematuria when the blood is found in clots, 
or when under the microscope the blood globules can be detected as 
distinctly rounded, flattened disks. It is smoky urine — hemaglobinu- 
ria — when no such distinct clots nor blood disks can be found, but 
merely a general browning, reddening, or blackening of the urine by 
the presence of dissolved blood-coloring matter. The bloody urine is 
the more direct result of structural disease of the kidneys or urinary 
passages (inflammation, stone, gravel, tumors, hydatids, kidney 
worms, sprains of the loins), while the stained urine (hemaglobinu- 
ria) is usually the result of some general or more distant disorder in 
which the globules are destroyed in the circulating blood and the 
coloring matter dissolved in and diffused through the whole mass of 
the blood and of the urine secreted from it. As in the two forms, 



120 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

blood and the elements of blood escape into the urine, albumin is 
always present, so that there is albuminuria with blood-coloring mat- 
ter superadded. If due to stone or gravel, gritty particles are usually 
passed, and may be detected in the bottom of a dish in which the 
liquid is caught. If due to fracture or severe sprain of the loins, it 
is likely to be associated not only with some loss of control over the 
hind limbs and with staggering behind but also with a more or less 
perfect paralysis of the tail. The blood-stained urine without red 
globules results from specific diseases — Texas fever (PI. XLVII, 
fig. 3), anthrax, spirillosis, and from eating irritant plants (broom, 
savin, mercury, hellebore, ranunculus, convolvulus, colchicum, oak 
shoots, ash privet, hazel, hornbeam, and other astringent, acrid, or 
resinous plants, etc.). The maybug or Spanish fly taken with the 
food or spread over a great extent of skin as a blister has a similar 
action. Frosted turnips or other roots will bring on the affection in 
some subjects. Among conditions which act by the direct destruc- 
tion of the globules in the circulating blood may be named an excess 
of water in that fluid; the use of water from soils rich in decom- 
posing vegetable matter and containing alkaline salts, particularly 
nitrites; and the presence in the water and food of the ptomaines of 
bacteria growth. Hence the prevalence of " red water " in marshy 
districts and on clayey and other impervious soils. Hence, too, the 
occurrence of bloody urine in the advanced stages of several conta- 
gious diseases. Some mineral poisons — such as iodin, arsenic, and 
phosphorus taken to excess — may cause hematuria, and finally the 
symptoms may be the mere result of a constitutional predisposition 
of the individual or family to bleeding. Exposure of the body to 
cold or wet will cause the affection in some predisposed subjects. 

The sfeci-fic symptom of bloody or smoky water is a very patent 
one. It may or may not be associated with fever, with the presence 
or absence of abdominal tenderness on pressure, with a very frothy 
state of the milk or even a reddish tinge, with or without marked 
paleness of the mucous membranes, and general weakness. AVhen 
direct injury to the kidneys is the immediate cause of the disease the 
urine will be passed often, in small quantity at a time, and with much 
straining. When there is bloodlessness (a watery blood) from in- 
sufficient nourishment, fever is absent and the red water is at first 
the only symptom. When the active cause has been irritant plants, 
abdominal tenderness, colics, and other signs of bowel inflammation 
are marked features. 

Treatment. — Treatment will vary according as the cause has been 
a direct irritant operating on a subject in vigorous health or a micro- 
bian poison acting on an animal deficient in blood and vigor. In the 
first form of red water a smart purgative (1 pound to 1^ pounds 
Glauber's salt) will clear away the irritants from the bowels and 



DISEASES OF THE TEINARY ORGANS. 121 

allay the coexistent high fever. It will also serve to divert to the 
bowels much of the irritant products already absorbed into the blood, 
and will thus protect the kidneys. In many such cases a liberal sup- 
ply of wholesome, easily digestible food will be all the additional 
treatment required. In this connection demulcent food (boiled flax- 
seed, wheat bran) is especially good. If much blood has been lost, 
bitters (gentian, one-half oun'ce) and iron (sulphate of iron, 2 drams) 
should be given for a week. 

For cases in which excess of diuretic plants has been taken, it may 
be well to replace the salts by 1 to 2 pints of olive oil, adding 1 ounce 
laudanum and 2 drams gum camphor. Also to apply fomentations 
or a fresh sheepskin over the loins. Buttermilk or vinegar, one-half 
pint, or sulphuric acid, 60 drops in a pint of water, may also be 
employed at intervals as injections. In cases due to sprained or 
fractured loins, to inflamed kidneys, or to stone or gravel, the treat- 
ment will be as for the particular disease in question. 

In hematuria from anemia (watery blood), whether from insuffi- 
cient or badly adjusted rations or from the poisonous products of 
fermentations in impervious or marshy soils, the treatment must be 
essentially tonic and stimulating. Rich, abundant, and easily diges- 
tible food must be furnished. The different gTains (oats, barley, 
wheat, bran, rye) and seeds (rape, linseed, cotton seed) are especially 
called for, and may be given either gi-ound or boiled. As a bitter, 
sulphate of quinia, one-half dram, and tincture of muriate of iron, 2 
drams, may be given in a pint of water thrice a day. In some cases 
1 or 2 teaspoonfuls of oil of turpentine twice daily in milk will act 
favorably. 

But in this anemic variety prevention is the great need. The 
drainage and cultivation of the dangerous soils is the main object. 
Until this can be accomplished young and newly purchased cattle, 
not yet inured to the poisons, must be kept from the dangerous fields 
and turned only on those which are already drained naturally or 
artificially. Further, they should have an abundant ration in which 
the local product of grass, hay, etc., is supplemented by grain or 
other seeds. Another point to be guarded against is the supply of 
water that has drained from marshes or impervious soils, rich in 
organic matter, as such is charged with nitrites, ptomaines, etc., 
which directly conduce to the disorder. Fence out from all such 
waters, and supply from living springs or deep wells only. 

ALBUMIN IN THE URINE (ALBUMINURIA). 

In bloody urine albumin is always present as an important con- 
stituent of the blood, and in congested and inflamed kidneys it is 
present as a part of the inflammatory exudate. Apart from these, 
albumin in the urine represents in different cases a variety of dis- 



122 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

eased conditions of the kidneys or of distant organs. Among the 
additional causes of albuminuria may be named: (1) An excess of 
albumin in the blood (after easy calving with little loss of blood and 
before the secretion of milk has been established, or in cases of sud- 
den suppression of the secretion of milk) ; (2) under increase of 
blood pressure (after deep drinking, after doses of digitalis or 
broom, after transfusion of blood from one animal to another, or in 
disease of the heart or lungs causing obstruction to the flow of blood 
from the veins) ; (3) after cutting (or disease) of the motor nerves 
of the vessels going to the kidneys, causing congestion of these 
organs; (4) violent exertion, hence long drives by road; the 
same happens with violent muscular spasms, as from strychnia 
poisoning, lockjaw, epilepsy, and convulsions; (5) in most fevers 
and extensive inflammations of important organs, like the lungs or 
liver, the escape of the albumin being variously attributed to the 
high temperature of the body and disorder of the nerves, and to 
resulting congestion and disorder of the secreting cells of the kid- 
neys; (6) in burns and some other congested states of the skin; (7) 
under the action of certain poisons (strong acids, phosphorus, 
arsenic, Spanish flies, carbolic acid, and those inducing bloody urine) ; 
(8) in certain conditions of weakness or congestion of the secreting 
cells of the kidneys, so that they allow this element of the blood to 
escape; (9) when the food is entirely wanting in common salt, albu- 
min may appear in the urine temporarily after a full meal containing 
an excess of albumin. It can also be produced experimentally by 
puncturing the back part of the base of the brain (the floor of the 
fourth ventricle close to the point the injury to which causes sugary 
urine). In abscess, tumor, or inflammation of the bladder, ureter, 
or urethra the urine is albuminous. 

It follows, therefore, that albumin in the urine does not indicate 
the existence of any one specific disease, and excepting when due to 
weakness or loss of function of the kidney cells, it must be looked on 
as an attendant on another disease, the true nature of which we must 
try to find out. These affections we must exclude one by one until 
we are left to assume the noninflammatory disorder of the secreting 
cells of the kidney. It is especially important to exclude inflamma- 
tion of the kidney, and to do this may require a microscopic exami- 
nation of the sediment of the urine and the demonstration of the 
entire absence of casts of the uriniferous tubes. (See "Nephritis," 
p. 123.) 

To detect albumin in the urine, the suspected and frothy liquid 
must be rendered sour by adding a few drops of nitric acid and then 
boiled in a test tube. If a solid precipitate forms, then add a few 
more drops of nitric acid, and if the liquid does not clear it up it is 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 123 

albumin. A precipitate thrown down by boiling and redissolved by- 
nitric acid is probably phosphate of lime. 

Treatment. — Treatment will usually be directed to the disease on 
which it is dependent. In the absence of any other recognizable dis- 
ease, mucilaginous drinks of boiled flaxseed, slippery elm, or gum 
may be given, tannic acid, one-half dram twice daily, and fomenta- 
tions or even mustard poultices over the loins. When the disease is 
chronic and there is no attendant fever (elevation of temperature), 
tonics (hydrochloric acid, 6 drops in a pint of water; phosphate of 
iron, 2 drams, or sulphate of quinia, 2 drams, repeated twice daily) 
may be used. In all cases the patient should be kept carefully from 
cold and wet ; a w arm, dry shed, or in warm weather a dry, sunny 
yard or pasture, being especially desirable. 

SUGAR IN URINE (dIABETES MELLITUS). 

This is a frequent condition of the urine in parturition fever, but 
is practically unknown in cattle as a specific disease, associated with 
deranged liver or brain. As a mere attendant on another disease it 
will demand no special notice here. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS (nEPHRITIS). 

This has been divided according as it affects the different parts of 
the kidneys, as: (1) Its fibrous covering (perinephritis); (2) the 
secreting tissue of its outer portion (parenchymatous) ; (3) the con- 
nective tissue (interstitial) ; (4) the lining membrane of its ducts 
(catarrhal) ; and (5) its pelvis or sac receiving the urine (pyelitis). 
It has also been distinguished according to the changes that take 
place in the kidney, especially as seen after death, according to the 
amount of albumin present in the urine, and according as the affec- 
tion is acute or chronic. For the purposes of this work it will be con- 
venient to consider these as one inflammatory disease, making a 
distinction merely between those that are acute and those that are 
chronic or of long standing. 

The causes are in the main like those causing bloody urine, such 
as irritant and diuretic plants, Spanish flies applied as a blister or 
otherwise, exposure to cold and wet, the presence of stone or gravel 
in the kidneys, injuries to the back or loins, as by riding each other, 
the drinking of alkaline or selenitious water, the use of putrid, stag- 
nant water, of that containing bacteria and their products, the 
consumption of musty fodder, etc. (See " Hematuria," p. 119.) 

The length of the loins in cattle predisposes thes(i to mechanical 
injury, and in the lean and especially in the thin working ox the kid- 
ney is very liable to suffer. In the absence of an abundance of loose 



124 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

connective tissue and of fat, the kidneys lie in close contact with the 
muscles of the loins, and any injury to these may tend to put the kid- 
ney and its vessels on the stretch, or to cause its inflammation by 
direct extension of the disease from the injured muscle to the adja- 
cent kidney. Thus, under unusually heavy draft, under slips and 
falls on slippery ground, under sudden unexpected drooping or 
tAvisting of the loins from missteps or from the feet sinking into 
holes, under the loading and jarring of the loins when animals ride 
each other in cases of "heat," the kidneys are subject to injury and 
inflammation. A hard run, as when chased by a dog, may be the 
occasion of such an attack. A fodder rich in nitrogenous or flesh- 
forming elements (beans, peas, vetches {Vicia sativa), and other 
leguminous plants) has been charged with irritating the kidneys 
through the excess of urea, hippuric acid, and allied products elimi- 
nated through these organs and the tendency to the formation of 
gravel. It seems, however, that these foods are most dangerous when 
partially ripened and yet not fully matured, a stage of growth at 
which they are apt to contain ingredients irritating to the stomach 
and poisonous to the brain, as seen in their inducing so-called " stom- 
ach staggers." Even in the poisoning by the seeds of ripened 
but only partially cured rye grass {Lolium peremie), and darnel 
{LoUiim termdentum) ^ the kidneys are found violently congested 
with black blood. Also in the indigestions that result from the eating 
of partially ripened corn and millet some congestion of the kidneys 
is an attendant phenomenon. 

Cruzel claims that the disease as occurring locally is usually not 
alone from the acrid and resinous plants charged with inducing hema- 
turia, but also from stinking camomile {Anthemis cotula) and field 
poppy when used in the fresh, succulent condition; also from the 
great prevalence of dead caterpillars on the pasture, or from dead 
Spanish flies in the stagnant pools of water. The fresh plants are 
believed to be injurious only by reason of a volatile oil which is dis- 
sipated in drying. In the case of the stagnant water it may be ques- 
tioned whether the chemical products of the contained ferments (bac- 
teria) are not more frequently the cause of the evil than the alleged 
Spanish flies, though these are hurtful enough when present. 

Inflammation of the kidnej^s may further be a form or an exten- 
sion of a specific contagious disease, such as erysipelas, rinderpest, 
septicemia, or even of poisoning by the spores of fungi. Rivolta 
reports the case of a cow with spots of local congestion and blood 
staining in the kidney, the affected parts being loaded with bacteria. 
Unfortunately he neither cultivated the bacteria nor inoculated them, 
and thus the case stands without positive demonstration that these 
were the cause of disease. 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 125 

The symptoms of nephritis are in certain cases very manifest, and 
in others so hidden that the existence of the affection can only be cer- 
tainly recognized by a microscopic examination of the nrine. In vio- 
lent cases there is high fever, increase of the body temperature to 
103° F. and upward ; hurried breathing, with catching inspiration ; 
accelerated pulse ; dry, hot muzzle ; burning of the roots of the horns 
and ears, loss of appetite, suspended rumination, and indications of 
extreme sensitiveness in the loins. The patient stands with back 
arched and hind legs extended backward and outward, and passes 
water frequently, in driblets, of a high color and specific gravity, con- 
taining albumin and microscopic casts. (PL XT, fig. 5.) When 
made to move, the patient does so with hesitation and groaning, espe- 
cially if turned in a narrow circle; and when pinched on the flank, 
just beneath the lateral bony processes of the loins, especially on that 
side on which the disease predominates, it flinches and groans. If the 
examination is made with oiled hand introduced through the last 
gut (rectum), the pressure upward on the kidneys gives rise to great 
pain and efforts to escape by moving away and by active contractions 
of the rectum for the expulsion of the hand. Sometimes there is a 
distinct swelling over the loins or quarter on one or both sides. In 
uncastrated males the testicle on the affected side is drawn up, or is 
alternately raised and dropped. In all there is a liability to tremors 
of the thigh on the side affected. 

In some severe cases colicky pains are as violent as in the worst 
forms of indigestion and spasms of the bowels. The animal fre- 
quently shifts from one hind foot to the other, stamps, kicks at the 
belly, looks anxiously at its flank at frequent intervals, moans plain- 
tively, lies down and quickly gets up again, grinds its teeth, twists 
its tail, and keeps iho, back habitually arched and rigid and the hind 
feet advanced under the belly. The bowels may be costive and the 
feces glistening with a coat of mucus, or they may be loose and irri- 
table, and the paunch or even the bowels may become distended with 
gas (bloating) as the result of indigestion and fermentation. In 
some animals, male and female alike, the rigid arched condition of 
the back will give way to such undulating movements as are some- 
times seen in the act of coition. 

The disease does not alwaj^s appear in its full severity; but for a 
daj^, or even two, there may be merely loss of appetite, impaired rumi- 
nation, a disposition to remain lying down; yet when the patient is 
raised, it manifests suffering by anxiously looking at the flanks, 
shifting or stamping of the hind feet, shaking of the tail, and at- 
tempts to urinate, which are either fruitless or lead to the discharge 
of a small quantity of high-colored or perhaps bloody urine. 

In some recent slight cases, and in many chronic ones, these symp- 
toms may be absent or unobserved, and an examination of the urine 



126 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

will be necessary to reach a safe conclusion. The urine may contain 
blood, or it may be cloudy from contained albumin, which coagulates 
on heating with nitric acid (see "Albuminuria," p. 121) ; it may be 
slightly glairy from pus, or gritty particles may be detected in it. In 
seeking for casts of the uriniferous tubes, a drop may be taken with a 
fine tube from the bottom of the liquid after standing and examined 
under a power magnifying 50 diameters. If the fine cylindroid fila- 
ments are seen they may then be examined with a power of 200 or 
250 diameters. (PI. XI, fig. 5.) The appearance of the casts gives 
some clue to the condition of the kidneys. If made up of large 
rounded or slightly columnar cells, with a single nucleus in each cell 
(epithelial), they imply comparatively slight and recent disease of 
the kidney tubes, the detachment of the epithelium being like what 
is seen in any inflamed mucous surface. If made up largely of the 
small disk-shaped and nonnucleated red-blood globules, they imply 
escape of blood, and usually a recent injury or congestion of the 
kidney — it may be from sprains, blows, or the ingestion of acrid or 
diuretic poisons. If the casts are made of a clear, waxy, homo- 
geneous substance (hyaline), without any admixture of opaque par- 
ticles, they imply an inflammation of longer standing, in which the 
inflamed kidney tubules have been already stripped of their cellular 
(epithelial) lining. If the casts are rendered opaque by the presence 
of minute spherical granular cells, like white-blood globules, it be- 
tokens active suppuration of the kidney tubes. In other cases the 
casts are rendered opaque by entangled earthy granules (carbonate of 
lime), or crystals of some other urinary salts. In still other cases 
the casts entangle clear, refrangent globules of oil or fat, which may 
imply fatty degeneration of the kidneys or injury to the spinal cord. 
The presence of free pus giving a glairy, flocculent appearance to the 
urine is suggestive of inflammation of the urinary pouch at the com- 
mencement of the excretory duct (pelvis of kidney) (PI. IX, fig. 1), 
especially if complicated with gritty particles of earthy salts. This 
condition is known as pyelitis. In the chronic cases swelling of the 
legs or along the lower surface of chest or abdomen, or within these 
respective cavities, is a common symptom. So, also, stupor or coma, 
or even convulsions, may supervene from the poisonous action of 
urea and other waste or morbid products retained in the blood. 

Treatment. — In the treatment of acute nephritis the first consid- 
eration is the removal of the cause. Acrid or diuretic plants in the 
food must be removed, and what of this kind is present in the stom- 
ach or bowels may be cleared away by a moderate dose of castor or 
olive oil ; extensive surfaces of inflammation that have been blistered 
by Spanish flies must be washed clean with soapsuds; sprains of the . 
back or loins must be treated by soothing fomentations or poultices 
or by a fresh sheepskin with its fleshy side applied on the loins, and 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 127 

the patient must be kept in a narrow stall in which it can not turn 
even its head. The patient must be kept in a warm, dry building, 
so that the skin shall be kept active rather than the kidneys. Warm 
blanketing is equally important, or even mustard poultices over the 
loins will be useful. Blistere of Spanish flies, turpentine, or other 
agent which may be absorbed and irritate the kidneys must be 
avoided. The active fever may be checked by 15 drops tincture of 
aconite every four hours or by one-third ounce acetanilid. If pain 
is very acute, 1 ounce laudanum or 2 drams solid extract of belladomia 
will serve to relieve. "Wlien the severity of the disease has passed, a 
course of tonics (quinia, 2 drams, or gentian powder, 4 drams, daily) 
may be given. Diuretics, too, may be cautiously given at this ad- 
vanced stage to relieve dropsy and give tone to the kidneys and gen- 
eral system (oil of turpentine, 2 teaspoonf uls ; bicarbonate of soda, 
1 teaspoonful, repeated twice a day). Pure water is essential, and it 
should not be given chilled; warm drinks are preferable. 

In the chronic forms of kidney inflammation the same protection 
against cold and similar general treatment are demanded. Tonics, 
however, are important to improve the general health (phosphate of 
iron, 2 drams; powdered nux vomica, 20 grains; powdered gentian 
root, 4 drams, daily). In some instances the mineral acids (nitric 
acid, 60 drops, or nitro-muriatic acid, 60 drops, daily) may be em- 
ployed with the bitters. Mustard applied to the loins in the form of 
a thin pulp made with water and covered for an hour with paper or 
other impervious envelope, or water hotter than the hand can bear, or 
cupping may be resorted to as a counterirritant. In cupping shave 
the loins, smear them with lard, then take a narrow -mouthed glass, 
expand the air within by smearing its interior with a few drops of 
alcohol, setting it on fire and instantly pressing the mouth of the 
vessel to the oiled portion of the skin. As the air within the vessel 
cools it contracts, tending to form a partial vacuum, and the skin, 
charged with blood, is strongly drawn up within it. Several of these 
being applied at once, a strong derivation from the affected kidneys 
is secured. In no case of inflamed or irritable kidney should Spanish 
flies or oil of turpentine be used upon the skin. 

PARASITES OF THE KmNEY. 

As the kidney is the usual channel by which the bacteria leave the 
system, this organ is liable to be implicated when microphytes exist 
in the blood, and congestions and blood extravasations are produced. 
In anthrax, Southern cattle fever (Texas fever), and other such 
affections bloody urine is the consequence. Of the larger parasites 
attacking the kidney may be specially named the cystic form of the 
echinococcus tapeworm of the dog, the cystic form of the unarmed or 
beef tapeworm of man, the diving bladderworm— the cystic form of 



128 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the iiiarginate tapeworm of the dog, and the giant strongyle — the 
largest of the roundworais. These give rise to general symptoms of 
kidney disease, but the true source of the trouble is only likely to be 
detected if the heads or booklets of the tapeworm or the eggs of the 
roundworm are found on microscopical examination of the urine. 

TUMORS OF THE KIDNEY ( HYPERTROPHY OR ATROPHy) . 

The kidney may be the seat of cancerous or simple tumors, and it 
may be unnaturally enlarged or reduced in size, but though there may 
be signs of urinary disorder the true nature of the disease is seldom 
manifest until after death. The passing of blood and of large multi- 
nucleated cells in the urine (to be detected under the microscope) 
may betray the existence of an ulcerated cancer of the kidney. The 
presence of cancerous enlargement of (superficial) lymphatic glands 
may further assist and confirm the decision. 

RETENTION OF URINE. 

Inability to pass urine may come from any one of three conditions — 
first, spasm of the neck of the bladder; second, paralysis of the body 
of the bladder ; third, obstruction of the channel of outlet by a stone 
(calculus) (see PI. XI) or other obstacle. 

In spoMn of the neck of the hlcvdder the male animal may stand with 
the tail slightly raised and making rhythmical contractions of the 
muscle beneath the anus {accelerator urince) (see PI. IX, fig. 2), but 
without passing a drop of liquid. In the female the hind legs are 
extended and widely parted, and the back is arched as if to urinate, 
but the effort is vain. If the oiled hand is introduced into the rectum 
or vagina in the early stages of the affection, the bladder may be felt 
beneath partially filled, but not overdistended with liquid, and its 
neck or mouth firm and rigid. In the more advanced stages of the 
affection the organ is felt as a great, tense, elastic bag, extending 
forward into the abdomen. In this condition the overdistended mus- 
cular coat of the bladder has lost its power of contraction, so that 
true paralysis has set in, the muscle closing the mouth of the sack 
alone retaining its contractile power. 

In paralysis of the hody of the hladder attention is rarely drawn to 
the urinary disorder until the bladder has been distended to full 
repletion and is almost ready to give way by rupture and to allow the 
escape of the contained liquid into the abdomen. Overdistention is 
the most common cause of the paralysis, yet it may occur from inflam- 
mation of the muscular wall of the bladder, or even from injury to 
the terminal part of the spinal marrow. In this last condition, how- 
ever, the tail is likely to be powerless, and the neck of the bladder 
may also be paralyzed, so that the urine dribbles away continuously. 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 129 

Causes. — Among the causes of spasm of the neck of the bladder 
may be named the lodgment of small stones or gravel, the feeding on 
irritant diuretics (see "Bloody urine," p. 119, or "Nephritis," p. 123), 
the enforced retention of urine while at work or during a painful or 
difficult parturition. The irritation attendant on inflammation of the 
mucous membrane of the bladder may be a further cause of spasms of 
the neck, as may also be inflammation of the channel (urethra) back 
of the neck. Extensive applications of Spanish flies to the skin, the 
abuse of diuretics, and the occurrence of indigestion and spasms of 
the bowels are further causes. So long as spasmodic colic is unre- 
lieved, retention of water from spasm of the neck of the bladder 
usually persists. 

Treatment. — Treatment will depend largely on the cause. In indi- 
gestion the irritant contents of the bowels must be got rid of by 
laxatives and injections of warm water; Spanish-fly blisters must be 
washed from the surface; a prolonged and too active exertion must 
be intermitted. The spasm may be relaxed by injecting one-half 
ounce solid extract of belladonna in water into the rectum or by a 
solution of tobajco. Chloroform or ether may be given by inhalation, 
or chloral hydrate (1 ounce) may be given in water by the mouth. 
Fomentations of warm water may be made over the loins and between 
the thighs, and the oiled hand inserted into the rectum may press 
moderately on the anterior part of the bladder, which can be felt as 
an elastic fluctuating bag of an oval shape just beneath. 

All other measures failing, the liquid must be drawn off through a 
tube (catheter). This is, however, exceedingly difficult, alike in male 
and female, and we can not expect an amateur to succeed in accom- 
plishing it. In the cow the opening into the bladder is found in the 
median line of the floor of the generative entrance, about 4 inches in 
front of the external opening, but it is flanked on either side by a 
blind pouchj into which the catheter will pass, in ninety-nine cases 
out of a hundred, in the hands of any but the most skilled operator. 
In the bull or steer the penis, when retracted into its sheath, is bent 
upon itself like the letter S, just above the scrotum and testicles (see 
PI. IX, fig. 2), and unless this bend is effaced by extending the organ 
forward out of its sheath it is quite impossible to pass a catheter 
beyond this point. When, however, the animal can be tempted by 
the presentation of a female to protrude the penis, so that it can be 
seized and extended, or when it can be manipulated forward out of 
the sheath, it becomes possible to pass a catheter of small caliber (one- 
third inch or under) onward into the bladder. Youatt advised to lay 
open the sheath so as to reach and extend the penis, and others have 
advocated opening the uretha in the interval between the thighs or 
just beneath the anus^ but such formidable operations are beyond the 
16923°— 12 9 



130 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

stock owner. The incision of the narrow iiretha through the great 
thickness of muscular and erectile bleeding tissue just beneath the 
anus is especially an operation of extreme delicacy and difficulty. 
Drawing off the liquid through the tube of an aspirator is another 
possible resort for the professional man. The delicate needle of the 
aspirator is inserted in such cases through the floor of the vagina and 
upper wall of the bladder in the female, or through the floor of the 
rectum (last gut) and roof of the bladder in the male, or finally 
through the lower and back part of the abdominal wall, just in front 
of the bones of the pelvis (pubic bones), and thence through the 
lower and anterior part of the bladder near its blind anterior end. 
After relief has been obtained the administration of belladonna in 
2-dram doses daily for several days will tend to prevent a recurrence 
of the retention. 

When the body of the bladder has become benumbed or paralyzed 
by overdistention, we may seek to restore its tone by doses of one- 
half a dram of powdered nux vomica repeated daily, and by mus- 
tard plaster applied over the loins, on the back part of the belly 
inferiorly, or between the thighs. Small doses (2 drams) of balsam 
of copaiba are sometimes useful in imparting tone to the partly 
paralyzed organ. 

INCONTINENCE OF URINE (PALSY OF THE NECK OF THE BLADDER). 

This may occur from disease or injury to the posterior part of the 
spinal cord or from broken back, and in these cases the tail is likely 
to be paralyzed, and it may be also the hind limbs. In this case the 
urine dribbles away constantly, and the oiled hand in the vagina or 
rectum will feel the half-filled and flaccid bladder beneath and may 
easily empty it by pressure. 

Treatment. — ^Treatment is only successful when the cause of the 
trouble can be remedied. After these (sprains of the back, etc.) have 
recovered, blisters (mustard) on the loins, the lower part of the 
abdomen, or between the thighs may be resorted to with success. 
Two drams daily of copaiba or of solid extract of belladonna or 2 
grains Spanish flies may serve to restore the lost tone. These failing, 
the use of electric currents may still prove successful. 

URINARY CALCULI ( STONE OR GRAVEL). 
[PI. XI, figs. 1.2,3.] 

Stone or gravel consists of hard bodies mainly made up of the solid 
earthy constituents of the urine which have crystallized out of that 
liquid at some part of the urinary passage, and have remained as 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 131 

small particles (gravel), or have concreted into large masses (stone, 
calculus). In cattle it is no uncommon thing to find them distending 
the practically microscopic tubes in the red substance of the kidney, 
having been deposited from the urine in the solid form almost as soon 
as that liquid has been separated from the blood. These stones ap-' 
pear as white objects on the red ground formed by cutting sections of 
the kidney, and are essentially products of the dry feed of winter, and 
most common in working oxen, which are called upon to exhale more 
water from the lungs and skins than are the slop-fed and inactive 
cows. Little water being introduced into the body with the food, and 
a considerable amount being expelled with the breath and perspira- 
tion in connection with the active life, the urine becomes small in 
amount, but having to carry out all waste material from the tissues 
and the tissue-forming food, it becomes so charged with solids that it 
is ready to deposit them on the slightest disturbance. If, therefore, 
a little of the water of such concentrated urine is reabsorbed at any 
point of the urinary passages, the remainder is no longer able to hold 
the solids in solution, and they are at once precipitated in the solid 
form as gravel or commencing stone. In cattle, on the other hand, 
which are kept at pasture in summer, or which are fed liberally on 
roots, potatoes, pumpkins, apples, or ensilage in winter, this concen- 
trated condition of the urine is not induced, and under such circum- 
stances, therefore, the formation of stone is practically unknown. 
Nothing more need be said to show the controlling influence of dry 
feeding in producing gravel and of a watery ration in preventing it. 
Calculus in cattle is essentially a disease of winter, and of such cattle 
as are denied succulent food and are confined to dry fodder as their 
exclusive ration. While there are exceptions, they are so rare that 
they do not invalidate this general rule. It is true that stone in the 
kidney or bladder is often found in the summer or in animals feeding 
at the time on a more or less succulent ration, yet such masses usually 
date back to a former period when the animal was restricted to a dry 
ration. 

In this connection it should be noted that a great drain of water 
from the system by any other channel than the kidneys predisposes 
to the production of gravel or stone. In case of profuse diarrhea, 
for example, or of excessive secretion of milk, there is a correspond- 
ing diminution of the water of the blood, and as the whole amount of 
the blood is thus decreased, and as the quantity of urine secreted is 
largely influenced by the fullness of the blood vessels and the pres- 
sure exerted upon their walls from within, it follows that with this 
decrease of the mass of the blood and the lessening of its pressure 
outward there will be a corresponding decrease of urine. The wast© 
of the tissues, however, goes on as before, and if the waste matter is 



132 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

passed out through the kidneys it must be in a more concentrated solu- 
tion, and the more concentrated the urine the greater the danger that 
the solids will be deposited as small crystals or calculi. 

Again, the concentrated condition of the urine which predisposes 
to such deposits is favored by the quantity of lime salts that may be 
present in the water drunk by the animal. Water that contains 20 
or 30 grains of carbonate or sulphate of lime to the gallon must con- 
tribute a large addition of solids to the blood and urine as compared 
with soft waters from which lime is absent. In this connection it is 
a remarkable fact that stone and gravel in the domesticated herbivora 
are notoriously prevalent on many limestone soils, as on the limestone 
formations of central and western New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
and Michigan ; on the calcareous formations of Norfolk, Suffolk, Der- 
byshire, Shropshire, and Gloucestershire, in England; in Landes in 
France, and around Munich in Bavaria. It does not follow that the 
abundance of lime in the water and fodder is the main cause of the 
calculi, since other poisons which are operative in the same districts 
in causing goiter in both man and animal probably contribute to the 
trouble, yet the excess of earthy salts in the drinking w^ater can 
hardly fail to add to the saturation of both blood and urine, and 
thereby to favor the precipitation of the urinary solids from their 
state of solution. 

The known results of feeding cattle a generous or forcing ration 
in which phosphate of lime is present to excess adds additional force 
to the view just advanced. In the writer's experience, the Second 
Duke of Oneida, a magnificent product of his world-famed family, 
died as the result of a too liberal allowance of wheat bran, fed with 
the view of still further improving the bone and general form of 
the Duchess strain of Shorthorns. Lithotomj^ was performed and 
a number of stones removed from the bladder and uretha, but the 
patient succumbed to an inflammation of the bowels, induced by the 
violent purgatives given before the writer arrived, under the mis- 
taken idea that the straining had been caused by intestinal impaction. 
In this case not only the Second Duke of Oneida, but the other males 
of the herd as well, had the tufts of hairs at the outlet of the sheath 
encased in hard, cylindroid sheaths of urinary salts, precipitated 
from the liquid as it ran over them. The tufts were in reality 
resolved into a series of hard, rollerlike bodies, more or lass con- 
stricted at intervals, as if beaded. 

When it is stated that the ash of the whole grain of wheat is but 3 
per cent, while tlie ash of wheat bran is 7.3 per cent, and that in the 
case of the former 46.38 per cent of the ash is phosphoric acid, and in 
that of the latter 50 per cent, it can easily be understood how a too 
liberal use of wheat bran should prove dangerous if fed dry. The 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 



133 



following table shows the relative proportion of ash and phosphoric 
acid in wheat bran and in some common farm seeds: 

Ash and phosphoric acid in bran and some common farm seeds. 



Kind of grain. 



Ash. 



Phosphoric 
acid in ash. 



Phosphoric 
acid in the 
entire food. 



Wheat bran 

Wheat, grain 

Oats, grain 

Barley, grain 

Bean, grain 

Peas, grain 

Tare, grain 

Indian corn, grain 
Kye, grain 



Per cent. 
7.3 
3 

2.50 
3.10 
3.10 
2.75 
3 

1.5 
1.6 



Per cent. 
50 

4G.38 
2G.5 
39.6 
31.9 
34.8 
36.2 



39.9 



Per cent. 

3.65 

1.3914 
.6625 

1.2276 
.9864 
.957 

1.086 



.6384 



Wheat bran, it will be observed, contains three times as much phos- 
phoric acid as is found in any of the other grains, and four times as 
much as oats, beans, peas, or rye; so that if fed in excess it will 
readily overcharge the urine with phosphates. 

There is another point to be considered, however, in estimating this 
danger. Wheat bran contains a far greater amount of albuminoids 
and other nitrogen-containing constituents than the common grains 
(these being made up mainly of starch, which contains no nitrogen) ; 
and, all nitrogen-bearing products contained in the blood and tissues 
being expelled from the body mainly through the kidneys in the form 
of urea and (in cattle) hippuric acid, it follows that the excess of 
urea formed when such food is consumed must load the urine with 
solids and bring it constantly nearer to the point of saturation, when 
such solids (or the least soluble of them) must be deposited. 

The following table will show the relative amounts of the nitrogen- 
bearing products in wheat bran and some of our common grains : 

Xitroffenous matter in wheat bran and some common farm secd.<i. 



Kind of grain. 



Albuminoids 
(nitroge- 
nous). 



Woody fiber 
(nitroge- 
nous. ) 



Total nitrog- 
enous-bear- 
ing constit- 
uents. 



Wheat bran . 
Wheat, grain 
Barley, grain 
Oats, grain. . 
Rye,grain. .. 
Indian corn.. 



Per cent. 
16.1 
12.5 
12.4 
11.8 
10. C 
10.1 



Per cent. 



1.8 
2.7 
9.5 
1.7 
1.7 



Per cent. 

24.1 
14.3 
15.1 
21.3 
12.3 
11.8 



134 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

It will be observed that, with the exception of oats, none of the 
grains contain more than two-thirds of the nitrogenous material 
present in the wheat bran, while in the case of rye and maize there is 
practically but one-half. Even in the case of oats the albuminoids, 
which are the more digestible principles, and therefore those that 
are the most easily and speedily converted into urea, are present t)nly 
to the amount of two-thirds of that which exists in the wheat bran. 
With such an excess of ash, of phosphates, and of nitrogenous (urea- 
forming) constituents in wheat bran, its tendency to favor the forma- 
tion of calculi is fully explained. It must not, however, be inferred 
that wheat bran is not a valuable foodstuff. The inference is only 
that it should be fed with an abundance of water, as a sloppy mash, 
or in combination with an abundance of roots, potatoes, pumpkins, 
or other succulent aliment. 

In this connection the presence of magnesia in the food or water 
must be named as favoring calculous formations in the urinary pas- 
sages. The explanation is that while the phosphate of magnesia 
thrown out in the urine is soluble in water, the compound phosphate 
of ammonia and magnesia is insoluble, and, accordingly, if at any 
time ammonia is introduced into urine containing the phosphate of 
magnesia there is instantly formed the ammonio-magnesium phos- 
phate, which is as promptly deposited in the solid form. The com- 
mon source of ammonia in such cases is from decomposition of the 
urea in fermenting urine. But in order to produce this a ferment is 
necessary, and therefore, as an additional prerequisite, the presence 
of bacteria, or fungi, in the urine is essential. These ferments may 
make their way from without along the urinary passage (urethra), 
and their propagation in the bladder is greatly favored by the pro- 
longed retention of urine, as in case of spasm of the neck of the 
bladder or obstruction by an alreadj' existing stone. Another mode 
of entrance of the ferment is an unclean catheter used to draw off 
the urine. Still another is the elimination through the kidneys of 
the bacteria of infectious diseases, or of such as, without producing 
a general infection, yet determine fermentation in the urine. The 
precipitation is favored not only by the production of ammonia, but 
also by the fonnation of viscid (colloid) products of fermentation. 
In this sense bacteria are most important factors in causing gritty 
deposits in the urine. 

Another insoluble salt which enters largely into the composition of 
many urinary calculi of the ox is carbonate of lime. This is derived 
mainly from the lime in the food and water and from the carbon 
dioxid fonned by the oxidation of the organic acids in the fodder. 
These organic acids, being composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen 
(without nitrogen), are resolved by the addition of oxygen into 
carbon dioxid (COg) and water (HoO). The carbon dioxid unites 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 



135 



with the lime in the blood to form carbonate of lime, and in this 
state passes into the urine. Now, carbonate of lime is soluble in 
water containing- free or uncombined carbon dioxid, but is precijDitated 
whenever the latter is withdrawn. It is only necessary, therefore, 
to have in the urine sufficient lime or other available base to unite 
with all the free carbon dioxid in order to bring about the precipi- 
tation of the dissolved carbonate of lime in the solid crystallized 
form. Hence it is that, of all sediments in the urine of herbivora, 
this is the most frequent and usually the most abundant. 

A less common constituent of urinary calculi is the insoluble oxalate 
of lime. In this case the lime is derived as before from the food or 
water, or both, while the oxalic acid is a product of the oxidation of 
organic acids of the food, less oxygen having been used than in the 
formation of carbon dioxid. The final product of the complete 
oxidation of these acids is carbon dioxid, but when less oxygen is 
furnished owing to some disease of the lungs or a disease of the nerve 
centers, which lessens the activity of the breathing, then oxalic acid 
may be produced. Then if this oxalic acid comes in contact with 
lime, it is instantly precipitated as crystals of oxalate of lime. 

Another inorganic substance at times found in urinary calculi is 
silica (SiOo). This contributes largely to giving stiffness to the 
stems of growing plants, and in most of our cereals and grasses makes 
u}) a large proportion of the ashes of the burned plant. It is found in 
the soluble form in combination as silicate of potash, but at times is 
displaced by oxalic or other acid and then appears as gritty, sandy 
particles in the stem. This gritty, insoluble silica is especially notice- 
able among the horsetails {E quisetacece) ^ bamboos, and sedges. The 
percentage of silica in the ash of several common fodder plants is 
given below : 

Silica in ash of varioxis fodder plants. 



Ash of— 


Silica. 


Ash of— - 


Silica. 


Wheat straw 


Per cent. 
67.6 
38.6 
35.4 
73.1 
64.4 


Rye-grass hay 


Per cent. 
64.57 


Oats and husk 


Wheatchaff 


81.2 


Oat straw 


Oatchaff 


59.9 






70.7 


R ve straw 











It is only soluble silica that is taken up into the system, and it 
is in this form (usually as silicate of potash or soda) that it enters 
the urine, but all that is wanted to precipitate it in crystalline form 
as a gritty sand is the presence of oxalic or other acid having a 
stronger affinity for its base (potash or soda). 



136 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Other conditions, however, enter hirgely into the causation of 
stone, or gravel. A high density of urine resulting from a highly 
saturated condition is often present for a length of time without 
any precipitation of solid materials. Urea and carbonates may be 
present in excess, the food may be given dry, and drinking water 
may be deficient in amount without any deposition of stone or 
gravel. The presence of noncrystalline organic matter in the urine 
becomes in such cases an exciting cause. Rainey and Ord have 
shown experimentally that colloid (noncrystallizable) bodies like 
mucus, epithelial cells, albumin, pus, blood, hyaline casts of the 
kidney tubes, etc., not only determine the precipitation of crystal- 
lizable salts from a strong solution, but they determine the precipi- 
tation in the form of globular masses, or minute spheres, which, 
by further similar accessions, become stones, or calculi, of various 
sizes. The salts that are deposited by mere chemical reaction with- 
out the intervention of colloids appear in the form of sharply 
defined angular crystals, and hence the rough, jagged crystals of 
oxalate of lime or ammonia-magnesium phosphate. Heat intensifies 
the action of the colloids in causing precipitation of the dissolved 
salts, so that the temperature of the kidneys and bladder constitute 
favorable conditions. Colloids that are undergoing decomposition 
are also specially powerful, so that the presence of bacteria or fungi 
causing fermentation is an important factor. 

In looking, therefore, for the immediate causes of urinary calculi 
we must accord a high place to all those conditions wdiich determine 
the presence of excess of mucus, albumin, pus, blood, kidney casts, 
blood-coloring matter, etc., in the urine. A catarrhal inflammation 
of the pelvis of the kidney, of the ureter, or of the bladder, gene- 
rating excess of mucus or pus ; inflammation of the kidneys, causing 
the discharge into the urinary passages of blood, albumin, or hya- 
line casts; inflammation of the liver, lungs, or other distant organ, 
resulting in the escape of albumin in the urine; disorders of the 
liver or of the blood-forming functions, resulting in hematuria or 
hemoglobinuria ; sprains or other injuries to the back, or disease 
of the spinal marrow, which cause the escape of blood with the 
urine; the presence in the bladder of a bacterial ferment, which 
determines the decomposition of the mucus and urea, the evolution 
of ammonia and the consequent destruction of the protecting cel- 
lular (epithelia) lining of the bladder, or the irritation caused by 
the presence of an already formed calculus, may produce the colloid 
or uncrystallizable body that proves so effective in the precipitation 
of stone or gravel. It has long been known that calculi will almost 
infallibly form around any foreign body introduced into the kidney 
or bladder, and I have seen a large calculous mass surrounding a 
splinter of an arrow that had penetrated and broken off' in the body 



DISEASES OF THE UBINARY ORGANS. 137 

of a deer. The explanation is now satisfactory — the foreign body 
carries in with it bacteria, which act as ferments upon the urine 
and mucus in addition to the mechanical injury caused by its pres- 
ence. If such a body has been introduced through the solid tissues, 
there is, in addition, the presence of the blood and lymph derived 
from the wounded structures. 

CLASSIFICATION OF URINARY CALCULI. 

Urinary calculi are most conveniently divided according to the 
locality in which they are found. Thus we find first renal calculi, 
formed in the kidney (PI. XI, fig. 1), and which for cattle must be 
again divided into calculi of the uriniferoii^ tuhes and calculi of the 
felvis. The second class are named ureteral calculi^ because they are 
found in the duct leading from the kidney to the bladder (ureter). 
The third class are the vesical calculi^ from the bladder or vesicle ill 
which they are found. The fourth class are the urethral calculi, and 
are found in the duct leading outward from the bladder through 
the penis (urethra). The fifth and last class are the preputial cal- 
culi, since they are found within the sheath of the penis (prepuce). 

Calculi may also be classed according to their chemical composition, 
and this has the advantage of suggesting the special cause of each as 
found in the food, water, soil, or general condition of health. This 
classification affords no guide to their location or symptoms, as cal- 
culi of the same chemical composition may be formed at any part of 
the urinary passages, as those formed in the kidney may pass on 
through all the various passages outward, unless it is found at any 
point of their progress that they have grown so large that the passage 
will not admit them. The following are among the concretions found 
in the various parts : 

(1) Coralline calculi. — These are of a dull-white color and irregu- 
lar surface, like coral. They are made up of hard and resistant lay- 
ers evenly deposited around a central nucleus. (PI. XI, fig. 3.) 
Their specific gravity is 1,760, water being 1,000, and they contain 
74 per cent of carbonate of lime with some carbonate of magnesia, 
organic matter, and a trace of carbonate of iron. Yellowish white, 
smooth, round calculi of the same chemical composition are met with. 

(2) Pearly calculi. — These are more frequent than the first-named 
variety. They are very hard and smooth on the surface, reflecting a 
play of various colors after the fashion of a pearl. This peculiarity 
appears to be caused by the thinness and semitransparency of the 
supposed layers. They have a specific gravity of 2,109 to 2,351, and 
nearly the same chemical composition as the coralline variety. Gold- 
ing Bird found a specimen of this kind formed of carbonate of lime 
and organic matter only. 



138 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

(3) Green calculi {metalloid calculi). — These are usually small and 
numerous, as they are exceedingly common. They are of a very hard 
consistency, and have a clear polished, greenish surface of almost 
metallic brilliancy. They have a specific gravity of 2,301, and a com- 
position almost identical with the second variety. 

(4) White calculi. — Pure, white, smooth, lustrous calculi are rare. 
They have a specific gravity of 2.307, and contain as much as 92 per 
cent of carbonate of lime with carbonate of magnesia and organic 
matter. 

(5) Arrmionio -magnesium calculi. — These are of a grayish color 
and a very rough crystalline surface, which proves very irritating to 
the mucous membrane. They have a specific gravity of 1,109 to 
1,037, and are composed chiefly of ammonio-magnesium phosphate, 
oxalate of lime, and organic matter, with some little carbonate of 
lime and magnesia. 

(6) Siliceous calculi. — These are clear, smooth, and hard, and visu- 
ally spherical. They have a specific gravity of 1,265 to 1,376, and 
contain 57 per cent of silica with carbonates of iron and magnesia, 
organic matter, and traces of iron. In other specimens of siliceous 
calculi there was a specific gravity of 3,122, and there was 79 to 85 
per cent of carbonate of lime together with carbonate of magnesia, 
and iron, silica, and organic matter. Others are almost exclusively 
made of silica. 

(7) Oxalate of lime calculi {Tnvlberry calculi) (PI. XI, fig. 2). — 
These are characterized by their extremely rough, angular surface, 
formed by the octahedral crystals of oxalate of lime. Their specific 
gravity may be 3,441, and they contain oxalate of lime to the extent of 
81 per cent, together with carbonates of lime and magnesia and 
organic matter. 

(8) Gravel {pultaceous deposits). — Simple crystals may be met 
with at any point from the kidneys to the external opening at the 
end of the prepuce (sheath), and they may appear singly, as crys- 
tals, or they may accumulate in masses of fine spherical crystals 
almost like dirty powdered chalk suspended in water. In the ox 
tliis is especially common as a collection in the sheath, distending 
that into a soft, doughy swelling. 

FORMS OF CALCULI IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. 

Apart from the rough crystalline surfaces of the calculi of oxalate 
of lime and ammonio-magnesium phosphate, the general tendency is 
to a smooth, round outline. At times, however, they show more or 
less flattening with rounded angular edges, caused by the contact 
and mutual friction of two calculi. Sometimes two or more stones 
lying together become united into one by a new external deposit, 
and the resulting mass then shows rounded swellings on opposite 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 139 

sides. The large calculi occupying the pelvis of the kidneys usually 
shows a central part having the outline of the main cavity of the 
pelvis and two or more projections that have been molded into the 
corresponding branches or channels M^hich lead to corresponding lobes 
of the kidney. In winter and spring small concretions in the form 
of plates are often met with in the branches of the pelvis, having 
been formed and molded irtthe confined space between the projecting 
papilla and the surrounding cuplike branch of the pelvis. Finally, 
the pulplike deposits in the sheath and elsewhere are made up of 
globular masses, individually so small as to be often practically 
microscopic. 

STONE IN THE KIDNEY (rENAL, CALCULI). 
[PI. XI, flg. 1.] 

In an animal leading the quiet, uneventful life of the ox, stones of 
large size may be present in the kidney without producing any dis- 
order appreciable to the people about him. In cattle fattened on dry 
food in winter, on our magnesian limestone of New York, it is excep- 
tional to find the substance of the kidney free from calculi about the 
size of a grain of wheat or less, and standing out as white objects in 
the general red of the cut surface of the organ. Similarly around the 
papillae in the cuplike arms of the pelvis we find minute flattened or 
more or less rounded yellowish white concretions. Even the large 
concretions may prove apparently harmless. I have a calculus sev- 
eral ounces in weight which filled the entire pelvis of the kidney, 
which was found by accident in a fat carcass while being dressed. In 
work oxen, however, such concretions may give rise to symptoms of 
kidney disease, such as stiffness of the loins, shown especially in the 
acts of rising or turning, weakness of the hind parts when set to pull 
a heavy load, an irritability of the kidneys, shown by the frequent 
passage of urine in small quantity, tenderness of the loins, shown 
Avhen they are pinched or lightly struck, and it may be the passage of 
blood or minute gritty masses with the urine. If the attack is severe, 
what is called " renal colic " (kidney colic) may be shown by frequent 
uneasy shifting of the hind limbs, shaking or twisting of the tail, 
looking round at the flanks, and lying down and rising again at short 
intervals without apparent cause. The frequent passage of urine, the 
blood or gritty masses contained in it, and perhaps the hard, stony 
cylinders around the tufts of hair of the sheath, show that the source 
of the suffering is the urinary organs. In bad cases active inflamma- 
tion of the kidneys may set in. (See " Nephritis," p. 123.) 

URETERAL CALCULI. 

These are small stones which have passed from the pelvis of the 
kidney into the canal (ureter) leading from the kidney to the bladder, 
but, being too large to pass on easily, have blocked that canal and 



140 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

forced the urine back upon the kidney. The result is the prodnction 
of symptoms more violent than in renal calculi, though not varying, 
save in intensity, from those of renal colic. In case of complete and 
unrelieved obstruction, the secretion of the kidney on that side is 
entirely abolished, and it becomes the seat of passive congestion, and 
it may even be absorbed in greater part or as a whole, leaving only a 
fibrous sac containing fluid with a urinous odor. In small cattle, in 
which the oiled hand introduced into the last gut may reach the 
affected part, the distended ureter may be felt as a tense, elastic cord, 
extending forward from the point of obstruction on the lateral wall 
of the pelvis and beneath the loins toward the kidney. If relief is 
obtained by the onward passage of the stone a free flow of urine 
usually follows, in the midst of which may often be found gritty 
masses. If the outlets from both kidneys are similarly blocked, the 
animal becomes poisoned by the retention in the blood of the elements 
of the urine, and by their reabsorption after secretion. 

Treatment of reiiaZ and ureteral calculi. — Treatment is not very 
successful, as only the smallest calculi can pass through the ureter and 
enter the bladder, and even if they should do so they are liable to a 
progressive increase there, so that later they may cause the symptoms 
of stone in the bladder. Fortunately, ordinary dairy, growing, or 
fattening cattle rarely show evident symptoms of illness, and though 
they should do so they can usually be fattened and slaughtered before 
the health is seriously impaired. In work oxen the case is different, 
and acute symptoms may develop, but even then the animal may often 
be fitted for the butcher. "NAHien treatment is demanded it is pri- 
marily soothing and antispasmodic. Fomentations with warm water 
over the loins should be persisted in without intermission until relief 
has been secured. The soothing effect on the kidney will often relieve 
inflammation and irritation, should the stone be in that situation, 
while if in the ureter the warm fomentations will at once soothe irri- 
tation, relax spasm of the muscular coat of the canal, and favor an 
abundant secretion from the kidney, which, pressing on the obstruct- 
ing stone, may slowly push it on into the bladder. Large doses of 
laudanum (2 ounces) or of solid extract of belladonna (2 drams) will 
not only soothe the pain but relax the spasm and favor the onward 
passage of the calculus. The animal should be encouraged to drink 
large quantities of cool water to favor the free secretion of a very 
watery urine, which will not only serve to obviate irritation and con- 
tinued deposit caused by a highly concentrated urine, but will press 
the stone onward toward the bladder, and even in certain cases will 
tend to disintegrate it by solution of some of its elements, and thus 
to favor its crumbling and expulsion. This is a principle which must 
never be lost sight of in the treatment of calculi. The immersion of 
the stone in a liquid of a lower specific gravity than that in Avhich it 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 141 

has formed and grown tend^ to dissolve out the more soluble of its 
comi3onent parts, and thus to destroy its density ,and cohesion at all 
points, and thereby to favor its complete disintegration and expulsion. 
This explains why cattle taken from a herd on our magnesian lime- 
stone in spring, after the long dry feeding of winter, usually furnish 
renal calculi, while cattle from the same herd in the fall, after a sum- 
mer's run on a succulent, pasture, are almost always free from con- 
cretions. The abundance of liquid taken in the green food and ex- 
l^elled through the kidneys and the low density or watery nature of 
the urine have so opentd the texture and destroyed the density of 
the smaller stones and gravel that they have all been disintegrated 
and removed. This, too, in the main reason why benefit is derived 
from a prolonged stay at mineral springs by the human victims of 
gravel. If they had sw^iUowed the same number of quarts of pure 
water at home and distributed it at suitable intervals over each day, 
they would have benefited largely without a visit to the springs. 

It follows from what has been just said that a succulent diet, in- 
cluding a large amount of water (gruels, sloppy mashes, turnips, 
beets, potatoes, apples, pumpkins, ensilage, succulent grasses), is an 
important factor in the relief of the milder forms of stone and gravel. 

Prevention. — Prevention of calculus especially demands this sup- 
ply of water and Avatery rations on all soils and in all conditions in 
which there is a predisposition to this disease. It must also be sought 
by attempts to obviate all those conditions mentioned above as causa- 
tive of the malady. Sometimes good rain water can be furnished in 
limestone districts, but putrid or bad smelling rain water is to be 
avoided as probably more injurious than that from the limestone. 
Unsuccessful attempts have been made to dissolve calculi by alkaline 
salts and mineral acids, respectively, but their failure as a remedy 
does not necessarily condemn them as preventives. One dram of 
caustic potash or of hydrochloric acid may be given daily in the 
drinking water. In diametrically opposite ways these attack and 
decompose the less soluble salts and form new ones which are more 
soluble and therefore little disposed to precipitate in the solid form. 
Both are beneficial as increasing the secretion of urine. In cases 
Avhere the diet has been too highly charged with phosphates (wheat 
bran, etc.), these aliments must be restricted and water allowed ad 
libitum. AVhere the crystals passed with the urine are the sharp 
angular (octahedral) ones of oxalate of lime, then the breathing 
should be made more active by exercise, and any disease of the lungs 
subjected to appropriate treatment. If the crystals are triangular 
prisms of ammonia-magnesium phosphate or starlike forms with 
feathery rays, the indications are to withhold the food or water that 
abounds in magnesia and check the fermentation in the urine by 
attempts to destroy its bacteria. In the latter direction plenty of 



142 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

pure Avater diuretics, and a daily dose of oil of turpentine in milk, or 
a dose thrice a day of a solution containing one-tenth grain each of 
biniodid of mercury and iodid of potassium would be indicated. 

In considering the subject of prevention, it must never be forgotten 
that any disease of a distant organ which determines the passage 
from the blood into the urine of albumin or any other colloid (un- 
crvstallizable) body is strongly provocative of calculus, and should, 
if possible, be Corrected. Apart from cases due to geological forma- 
tion, faulty feeding, and other causes, the grand preventive of cal- 
culus is a long summer's pasturage of succulent grasses, or in winter 
a diet of ensilage or other succulent food. 

The calculi formed in part of silica demand special notice. This 
agent is secreted in the urine in the form of silicate of potash and is 
thrown down as insoluble silica when a stronger acid displaces it by 
combining with the potash to its exclusion. In cases of siliceous 
calculi, accordingly, the appropriate chemical prevention is caustic 
potash, which being present in the free state would attract to itself 
any free acid and leave the silica in its soluble condition as silicate of 
potash. 

STONE IN THE BLADDER (\"ESICAL CALCULUS, OR URETHRAL CALCULUS). 

Stone in the bladder may be of any size, but in the ox does not 
usually exceed half an inch in diameter. There may, however, be a 
number of small calculi; indeed, they are sometimes so small and 
numerous as to form a small pulpy magma by which the bladder is 
considerably distended. 

Symrptoms. — The symptoms of stone in the bladder may be absent 
until one of the masses escapes into the urethra, but when this occurs 
the escape of urine is prevented, or it is allowed to pass in drops or 
driblets only, and the effect of such obstruction becomes manifest. 
The point of obstruction is not always the same, but it is most fre- 
quently at the S-shaped curve of the penis, just above the testicles or 
scrotum. In cows and heifers the urethra is so short and becomes so 
widely dilated during the urination that the calculi easily escape in 
the flow of liquid and dangerous symptoms practically never appear. 

Even in the male the signs of illness are at first very slight. A 
close observer may notice the cylinders of hard earthy materials 
encircling the tufts of hair at the opening of the prepuce. It may 
further be observed that the stall remains dry and that the animal 
has not been seen to pass water when out of doors. The tail may at 
times be gently raised and contractions of the muscle {accelerator 
urinoe) beneath the anus (PI. IX, fig. 2) may take place in a rhyth- 
mical or pulsating manner. But as a rule no symptom is noticed for 
a couple of days, only the animal is lacking in his usual spirits. By 
this time the constantlv accumulating urine has distended the blad- 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 143 

dor beyond its power of resistance and a rupture occurs, allowing the 
urine to escape into the cavity of the abdomen. Then dullness in- 
creases; the animal- lies down most of his time; he becomes stupid and 
sometimes drows,y, with reddish brown congestion of the lining mem- 
brane of the eyelids; pressure on the abdomen causes pain, flinching, 
and perhaps groaning, and the lowest part of the belly fluctuates more 
and more as the escaping urine accumulates in greater and greater 
amount. If at this stage the oiled hand is introduced into the rectum 
(last gut), the animal flinches when pressure is made downward on 
the floor of the pelvis, and no round, distended bladder is felt. If 
the same examination is made prior to the rupture, the rounded, 
tense, elastic bladder is felt extending forward into the abdomen, 
containing one or two gallons of liquid. There may be uneasy 
shifting of the hind limbs and twisting of the tail, also frequent 
lying down and rising, but these symptoms are exceptional. 

"NATien the obstruction is low down between the thighs (at the S- 
shaped flexure), the line of the pulsating urethra from the anus 
downward may be felt distended with liquid, and though it is seldom 
easy to distinguish the exact seat of the stone by the hard swelling 
of the urethra, yet there is usually tenderness at the point of obstruc- 
tion, and from this it may be accurately located. 

Treatment. — The treatment of stone in the bladder or urethra con- 
sists in the removal of the stone by incision and the use of forceps. 
(PI. XI, fig. 4.) When the stone has been arrested at the S-shaped 
flexure just above the scrotum, the patient being lean, the thickened 
tender part of the penis may be sized between the fingers and thumb 
of the left hand, while the calculus is exposed by a free incision with 
the knife held in the right. If there is no other obstruction between 
this point and the bladder, and if the latter has not yet ruptured, a 
flow of urine should take place from the opening. If there is no 
escape of liquid, a catheter or sound, one- fourth of an inch in diame- 
ter, must be passed up through the canal (urethra) until it is arrested 
by the next stone, on which a similar incision should then be made 
to effect its extraction. In case the stone has been arrested in the por- 
tion of the urethra which is in front of the ^rch of the hip bone and 
inside the pelvis, it can only be reached by making an opening into 
the urethra beneath the anus and over the arch of the hip bone, and 
from this orifice exploring the urethra with fine forceps to the neck 
of the bladder or until the stone has been reached and extracted 
The operation requires a very accurate knowledge of the parts, owing 
to the small size of the canal (urethra) to be opened and the great 
thickness of erectile tissue to be cut through, while the free flow of 
blood is blinding to the operator. A staff should always be passed up 
through the urethra from the lower wound, if such has been made, or, 
in case of its absence, through the whole length of the penis, that 



144 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

organ having been drawn out of its sheath until the S-shaped curve 
has been effaced and the course of the canal rendered straight. Upon 
the end of this staff the incision can be made with far more confi- 
dence and certainty. The operation can only be undertaken by a 
skilled veterinary anatomist, but the hints given above may be valu- 
able in showing the stock owner when he is being properly served in 
such a case. 

In outlying districts, where no skilled operator can be had, a trans- 
verse incision may be made with a clean, sharp knife through the root 
of the penis, just over the arch of the hip bone, when the urine will 
flow out in a full stream. The attendant bleeding may be ignored, or 
if profuse it may be checked by packing the wound firmly with cotton 
Avool for some hours. The urine will continue to escape by the 
wound, and the ox should be fattened for the butcher. 

The immediate relief is not to be looked upon as a permanent cure, 
as the calculi in the affected ox are usually numerous and later attacks 
are therefore to be looked for. Hence it is desirable to fatten and 
kill such cases after a successful operation. If a breeding animal is 
too valuable to be killed, he should be subjected to preventive meas- 
ures, as laid down under " Stone in the kidney," page 139. 

It should be added that when the bladder is filled with a soft 
magma a catheter may be introduced through the whole length of the 
urethra to be employed in pumping water into the bladder. This 
water is extracted through the same channel when it has been charged 
with the suspended solids by manipulations of the bladder with the 
oiled hand introduced through the rectum. 

Calculi^ or gravel, in the prepuce, or slieath. — This is usually a col- 
lection of gravel, or a soft puttylike material which causes distinct 
swelling of the sheath and gives it a soft, doughy feeling when 
handled. It may be removed in part by the oiled fingers introduced 
into the cavity, assisted by manipulation from without, or a tube may 
be inserted until the end extends behind the collection and water 
pumped in until the whole mass has been evacuated. Should even 
this fail of success, the sheath \\v<\j be slit open from its orifice back 
in the median line below until the offending matter can be reached 
and removed. In all such cases the interior of the sheath should be 
finally lubricated with sweet oil or vaseline. It is unnecessary to 
stitch up the wound made in the sheath. (See "Inflammation of the 
sheath," p. 153.) 



I 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. 

Plate IX: 

Fig. 1. Kidney of the ox. Taken from Haridbuch dcs Vergleichenden 
Anatomie des Haus Sdugethiere, vol. 7, 1890: A, renal artery carry- 
ing blood into the kidney; V, renal vein carrying blood from the 
kidney back to the heart ; H, ureter, the tube carrying the urine from 
kidney to bladder. It is formed by the union of a number of branches 
which begin as cups (calices), each inclosing the tip of a conical mass 
of tissue from which the urine exudes. 1, Showing such papilla through 
the cup, or calyx, surrounding it; 2, papillje with the cups inclosing 
them cut in half to show their relation to each other. 

Fig. 2. The male genital organs of the ox. Taken from Leisering, Mueller 
& Ellenberger, Hamlbuch des Verg. Anat. des Haus Sdugethiere: 1, 
scrotum, or the pouch containing the testicles; 2, tunica vaginalis, 
the serous membrane enveloping the testicles; 3', right testicle, outer 
view; 3', left testicle, inner view; 4, epididymis, or the beginning of 
the excretory canal of the testicle; 4', globus major, or the head of 
the epididymis; 4", globus minor, or the tail of the epididymis; 5, 
vas deferens, the duct through which the seminal fluid reaches the 
ejaculatory ducts; 5', pelvic dilatation of the vas deferens; 6, vesic- 
ula seminalis. The vesiculfe seminals are two oval pouches, which, 
in addition to their own secretions, receive the semen conveyed by 
the seminal ducts and hold it in reserve until copulation ; 7, mem- 
branous or intrapelvic portion of the urethal canal covered by Wil- 
son's muscle; 8, part of the prostate gland, covered by Wilsf^n's 
muscle; 9, Cowper's gland. This gland, like the prostate gla.^d, 
secretes a fluid which is thrown into the urethal canal in abundance 
immediately before ejaculation ; the expulsion of the semen is by 
this means facilitated; 10, ejaculator seminis, or accelerator urine 
muscle; 11, penis; 11', cut portion of same; 12, cut suspensory liga- 
ments of penis ; 13, sheath, or prepuce laid open ; 14, retractor muscles 
of sheath; 15, cremaster muscle cut at superior extremity; 16, dupli- 
cature of peritoneum; 17, ureters carrying urine from the kidneys 
to the bladder. 
Plate X: 

Fig. 1. In this figure the minute apparatus for the secretion, collection, 
and discharge of the urine into the pelvis of the kidney (see preced- 
ing plate) is shown. The course is as follows: The urine is secreted 
from the blood vessels in the little round bodies called glomeruli (12), 
and by the minute cells in the curved tubes (11, 9, 10, 8), and passes 
through the convoluted and straight tubes (7, 6) into the larger tube 
(1), and then out into the pelvis, thence throngh the ureters into the 
bladder. The fluid and salts dissolved in the urine are taken from 
the blood, and the minute blood vessels are therefore very abundant 
16923°— 12 10 145 



146 • DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

Plate X — Continued. 

in the kidneys, as is shown by the branches and networlj on the left 
of the figure. The blood passes into the kidney in the artery (13), 
then divides into branches which pass into the glomeruli (12) and 
also forms network around the secreting tubules (11, 9). The 
urine and salts pass from these vessels through the cells lining the 
tubules into the latter, and are discharged as described above. The 
blood is again collected in veins drawn black in the figure. 

Fig. 2. Illustrates the manner in which the blood is distributed in the 
glomerulus /, and also to the secreting tubules (e). 

Fig. 3. Shows the relation between the blood vessel in the glomerulus (e) 
and the tubule which conducts the urine therein secreted from the 
blood vessel; (c) represents a glomerulus from which the urinary 
tubule has been removed. 
Plate XI: 

Fig. 1. Calculus, or stone, from the kidney. These are located in the 
pelvis or portion of the ureter receiving the urine. The prolongations 
are casts of the branches of the pelvis. See the plates of the kidney 
for further description. 

Fig. 2. Calculus made up of oxalate of lime magnified 215 times. 

Fig. 3. Phosphatic calculus containing a nucleus of uric acid, sawn through 
to show concentric layers. 

Fig. 4. Straight forceps used in removing stones from the bladder. 

Fig. 5. Casts of the minute tubules of the kidney found in the urine in 
various kinds of kidney disease. Highly magnified. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate IX. 



_..<J(^ii^^^S)^ ^.T' 





JUUUS BIEN CO.t 



Kidney and Generative Organs. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate X. 






Geo. Marx, after D'Ai'T5o\'^. 



Microscopic Anatomy of the Kidney. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XI . 




Tdines del. after Hurtrel D'ArbovaJ. 



Calculi of Kidney and Bladder. 



DISEASES OF THE GENEEATIVE OEGANS. 

By James Law, F. R. C. V. S. 
Professor of Yeterin-ary Science, etc., in Cornell University. 

Diseases of the generative organs are practically confined to ani- 
mals which are kept for reproduction and the dairy. The castration 
of the bull condemns these organs to inactivity and protects them 
from the many causes of injury attendant on the engorged blood 
vessels in the frequent periods of sexual excitement, on the exposure 
to mechanical violence, and on the exposure to infective inoculation. 
In three respects the castrated male is especially subject to disease: 
( 1 ) To inflammation and tumefaction of the cut end of the cord that 
supported the testicle and of the loose connective tissue of the scro- 
tum; (2) to inflammation of the sheath and penis from the accumu- 
lation of gravel in the former, from which the penis is not usually 
protruded in passing water; and (3) to bruising, abrasion, and 
inflammation of the sheath and penis during suspension in the stocks 
for the purpose of shoeing. Apart from these, the ox is practically 
almost exempt from the inflammations and injuries of the genital 
organs. The same applies to the castrated heifer. Inflammation 
may occur in the broad ligament of the womb whence the ovary has 
been removed or infective inflammation in the abdominal cavity 
(peritonitis) in case the operation has been performed through the 
flank, as it usually is in the young heifer. Apart fi'om these, the cas- 
trated heifer is practically immune from any trouble of the genera- 
tive apparatus. Even the virgin heifer is little subject to such 
troubles, though she is not exempt from inflammations, and above all, 
morbid growths in the ovaries which are well developed and func- 
tionally veiy active after the first year, or in precocious animals after 
the first few months of life. The breeding cow, on the other hand, 
is subjected to all the disturbances attendant on the gradual enlarge- 
ment of the womb, the diversion of a large mass of blood to its walls, 
the constant drain of nutrient materials of all kinds for the nourish- 
ment of the fetus, the risks attendant and consequent on abortion 
and parturition, the dangers of infection from the bull, the risks of 
sympathetic disturbance in case of serious diseases of other organs, 
but preeminently of the urinary organs and the udder, and finally 
the sudden extreme derangements of the circulation and of the nerv- 
ous functions which attend on the sudden revulsion of a great mass 

147 



148 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

of blood from the walls of the contracting womb into the body at 
large immediately after calving. 

In reviewing this class of diseases, therefore, we have to note, first, 
that they are almost exclusively restricted to breeding animals; and, 
second, that in keeping with the absolute difference of the organs in 
the male and female we find two essentially distinct lists of diseases 
affecting the two sexes. 

excess of venereal desire (satyriasis in male, or nymphomania in 

female). 

This may occur in the male from too frequent sexual intercourse, 
or from injury and congestion of the base of the brain (vaso-dilator 
center in the medulla), or of the posterior end of the spinal cord, or 
it may be kept up by congestion or inflammation of the testicles or of 
the mucous membrane covering the penis. It may be manifested by 
a constant or frequent erection, by attempts at sexual connection, 
and sometimes by the discharge of semen without connection. In bad 
cases the feverishness and restlessness lead to loss of flesh, emacia- 
tion, and physical weakness. 

It is, however, in the female especially that this morbid desire is 
most noticeable and injurious. It may be excited by the stimulating 
quality of the blood in cows fed to excess on highly nitrogenous food, 
as the seeds of the bean, pea, vetch, and tare, and as wheat bran, 
middlings, cotton seed, gluten meal, etc., especially in the case of such 
as have no free exercise in the fields, and are subject to constant asso- 
ciation with a vigorous young bull. A more frequent cause is the 
excitation or congestion of some part of the genital organs. Disease 
of the ovaries is preeminently the cause, and this may be by the for- 
mation of cysts (sacs containing liquid) or of solid tumors or de- 
generations, or, more commonly than all, the deposition of tubercle. 
Indeed, in case of tuberculosis attacking the abdominal organs of 
cows, the ovaries or the serous membranes that support and cover 
them (the broad ligaments of the womb) are peculiarly subject to 
attack, and the animal has constant sexual excitement, incessantly 
riding or being ridden by other cattle, having no leisure to eat or 
chew the cud, but moving restlessly, wearing the flesh off its bones, 
and gradually wasting. In some localities these cows are known as 
" bullers," because they are nearly always disposed to take the bull, 
but they do not conceive, or, if they do, they are subject to early 
abortions. They are, therefore, useless alike for the dairy and for the 
feeder, unless the removal of the ovaries subdues the sexual excite- 
ment, when, in the absence of tuberculous disease elsewhere, they 
may be fattened for the butcher. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 149 

Among the other sources of irritation charged with causing nym- 
phomania are tumors and cancers of the womb, rigid closure of the 
neck of the womb so that conception can not occur and the frequent 
services by the male stimulate the unsatisfied appetite, and inflam- 
mation, and a purulent discharge from the womb or vagina. 

Treatment. — The treatment in each case will vary with the cause 
and is most satisfactory when that cause is a removable one. Over- 
feeding on richly nitrogenous food can be stopped, exercise in the 
open field secured, diseased ovaries may be removed (see " Castra- 
tion," p. 310), catarrhs of the womb and passages overcome by anti- 
septic astringent injections (see " Leucorrhea,"' p. 226), and tumors of 
the womb may often be detached and extracted, the mouth of that 
organ having been first dilated by sponge tents or otherwise. The 
rubber dilator (impregnator) though sometimes helpful in the mare 
is rarely available for the cow, owing to the different condition of the 
mouth of the womb. 

DIMINUTION OR LOSS OF VENEREAL. DESIRE (aNAPHRODISIa). 

This will occur in either sex from low condition and ill health. 
Long standing chronic diseases of important internal organs, lead- 
ing to emaciation and weakness, or a prolonged semistarvation in 
winter may be suiRcient cause. It is, however, much more common 
as the result of degeneration or extensive and destructive disease of 
the secreting organs (testicles, ovaries) which elaborate the male and 
female sexual products, respectively. Such diseases are, therefore, a 
common cause of sterility in both sexes. The old bull, fat and lazy, 
becomes sluggish and unreliable in serving, and finally gets to be use- 
less for breeding purposes. This is not due to his weight and clum- 
siness alone, but largely to the fatty degeneration of his testicles and 
their excretory ducts, which prevents the due formation and matura- 
tion of the semen. 

If he has been kept in extra high condition for exhibition in the 
show ring, this disqualification comes upon him sooner and becomes 
more irremediable. 

Similarly the overfed, inactive cow, and above all the show cow, 
fails to come in heat at the usual intervals, shows little disposition to 
take the bull, and fails to conceive when served. Her trouble is the 
same in kind, namely, fatty degeneration of the ovaries and of their 
excretory ducts (Fallopian tubes), which prevents the formation or 
maturation of the ovum or, when it has formed, hinders its descent 
into the womb. Another common defect in such old fat cows is a 
rigid closure of the mouth of the womb, which prevents conception, 
even if the ovum reaches the interior of that organ and even if the 
semen is discharged into the vagina. 



150 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Preventive. — The true preventive of such conditions is to be found 
in a sound hygiene. The breeding animal should be of adult age, 
neither overfed nor underfed, but well fed and moderately exercised ; 
in other words, the most vigorous health should be sought, not only 
that a strong race may be propagated, but that the whole herd, or 
nearly so, may breed with certainty. Fleming gives 79 per cent as 
the general average of cows that are found to breed in one year. 
Here more than a fifth of the progeny is sacrificed and a fifth of the 
product of the dairy. With careful management the proportion of 
breeders should approach 100 per cent. The various local and gen- 
eral obstacles to conception should be carefully investigated and 
removed. The vigorous health which comes from a sufficiently lib- 
eral diet and abundant exercise should be solicited, and that compara- 
tive bloodlessness and weakness which advances with undue fattening 
should be sedulously avoided. In bull or cow which is becoming 
unduly fat and showing indications of sexual indifference, the treat- 
ment must be active. Turning out on a short pasture where it must 
work hard for a living will often suffice. The bull which can not be 
turned out to pasture may sometimes be utilized in the yoke or tread 
power, or he may be kept a part of his time in a field or paddock 
chained by the ring in his nose to a strong wire extending from one 
side of the lot to the other, and attached securely to two trees or 
posts. The wire should be higher than the back of the bull, which 
will move from end to end at frequent intervals. If he is indisposed 
to take sufficient exercise in this way he may be safely driven. An 
instance of the value of exercise in these incipient cases of fatty de- 
generation is often quoted. The cow Dodona, condemned as barren 
at Earl Spencer's, was sold cheap to Jonas Webb, who had her driven 
by road a distance of 120 miles to his farm at Wilbraham, soon after 
which she became pregnant. In advanced cases, however, in which 
the fatty degeneration is complete, recovery is impossible. 

In case of rigid closure of the mouth of the womb the only resort is 
dilatation. This is far more difficult and uncertain in the cow than 
in the mare. The neck of the womb is longer, is often tortuous in its 
course, and its walls so approximated to each other and so rigid that 
it may be all but impossible to follow it, and there is always danger 
of perforating its walls and opening into the cavity of the abdomen, 
or short of that of causing inflammation and a new rigid fibrous for- 
mation which on healing, leaves matters worse than before. The 
opening must be carefully made with the finger, and when that has 
entered the womb further dilatation may be secured by inserting a 
sponge tent or by careful stretching with a mechanical dilator. (PI. 
XX, fig. 6.) 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 151 

STERILITY FROM OTHER CAUSES. 

The questions as to whether a bull is a sure stock getter and whether 
a cow is a breeder are so important that it would be wrong to pass 
over other prominent causes of sterility. Breeding at too early an 
age is a common source of increasing weakness of constitution which 
has obtained in certain breeds. Jerseys have especially been made 
the victims of this mistake, the object being to establish the highest 
milking powers in the smallest obtainable body which will demand 
the least material and outlay for its constant repair of waste. With 
success in this line there has been the counterbalancing disadvantage 
of impaired vigor, with too often lessened fertility as well as increased 
predisposition to disease. When the heifers of the race have for 
generation after generation been bred under a year old, the demand 
for the nourishment of the fetus is too great a drain on the immature 
animal, which accordingly remains small and stunted. As it fails to 
develop in size, so every organ fails to be nourished to perfection. 
Similarly with the immature bull put to too many cows; he fails to 
develop his full size, vigor, or stamina, and transfers his acquired 
weakness to his progeny. An increasing number of barren females 
and an increasing proclivity to abortions are the necessary results of 
both courses. Wlien this early breeding has occurred accidentally it 
is well to dry up the dam just after calving, and to avoid having her 
served again until full grown. 

Some highly fed and plethoric females seem to escape conception 
by the very intensity of the generative ardor. The frequent passage 
of urine, accompanied by contractions of the womb and vagina and 
a profuse secretion from their surfaces, leads to the expulsion of the 
semen after it has been lodged in the genital passages. This may be 
remedied somewhat by bleeding the cow shortly before putting to 
the bull, so as to diminish the richness and stimulating quality of 
the blood ; or better, by giving 1^ pounds of Epsom salt a day or two 
before she comes in heat, and subjecting her at the same time to a 
spare diet. Should the excessive ardor of the cow not be controllable 
in this way, she may be shut up for a day or two, until the heat is 
passing off, when under the lessened excitement the semen is more 
likely to be retained. 

The various diseases of the ovaries, their tubes, the womb, the 
testicles and their excretory ducts, as referred to under " Excess of 
generative ardor," are causes of barrenness. In this connection it 
may be named that the discharges consequent on calving are fatal to 
the vitality of semen introduced before these have ceased to flow ; 
hence service too soon after calving, or that of a cow which has 
had the womb or genital passages injured so as to keep up a muco- 



152 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

purulent flow until the animal comes in heat, is liable to fail of 
conception. Any such discharge should be first arrested by repeated 
injections as for leucorrhea, after which the male be admitted. 

Feeding on a very saccharine diet, which greatly favors the deposi- 
tion of fat, seems to have an even more direct effect in preventing 
conception during such regimen. Among other causes of barrenness 
are all those that favor abortion, ergoted grasses, smutty wheat or 
corn, laxative or diuretic drinking water, and any improper or 
musty feed that causes indigestions, colics, and diseases of the urinary 
organs, notably gravel; also savin, rue, cantharides, and all other 
irritants of the bowels or kidneys. 

Hermaphrodites are barren, of course, as their sexual organs are 
not distinctively either male or female. The heifer born as a twin 
with a bull is usually hermaphrodite and barren. But the animals 
of either sex in which development of the organs is arrested before 
they are fully matured remain as in the male or female prior to 
puberty, and are barren. Bulls with both testicles retained within 
the abdomen may go through the form of serving a cow, but the 
service is unfruitful; the spermatozoa are not fully elaborated. So 
I have examined a heifer with a properly formed but very small 
womb and an extremely narrow vagina and vulva, the walls of which 
were very muscular, that could never be made to conceive. A post- 
mortem examination would probably have disclosed an imperfectly 
formed ovary incapable of bringing ova to maturity. 

A bull and cow that have been too closely inbred in the same line 
for generations may prove sexually incompatible and unable to gen- 
erate together, though both are abundantly prolific when coupled with 
animals of other strains of blood. 

Finally a bull may prove unable to get stock, not from any lack of 
sexual development, but from disease of other organs (back, loins, 
hind limbs), which renders him unable to mount with the energy 
requisite to the perfect service. 

CONGESTION AND INFLAMMATION OF THE TESTICLES (ORCHITIS). 

This usually results from blows or other direct injuries, but may be 
the result of excessive service or of the formation of some new growth 
(tumor) in the gland tissue. The bull moves stiffly, with straddling 
gait, and the right or left half of the scrotum in which the affected 
testicle lies is swollen, red, and tender, and the gland is drawn up 
within the sac and dropped down again at frequent intervals. It 
may be treated by rest; by 1^ pounds Epsom salt given in 4 quarts 
of water; by a restricted diet of some succulent food; by continued 
fomentations with warm wat^r by means of sponges or rags sustained 
by a sling passed around the loins and back between the hind legs. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 153 

The pain may be allayed by smearing with a solution of opium or of 
extract of belladonna. Should a soft point appear, indicating the 
formation of matter, it may be opened with a sharp lancet and the 
wound treated daily with a solution of a teaspoonful of carbolic acid 
in a half pint of water. Usually, however, when the inflammation 
has proceeded to this extent Uie gland will be ruined for purposes 
of procreation and must be cut out. (See '* Castration," p. 310). 

INFLAMMATION OF THE SHEATH. 

While this may occur in bulls from infection during copulation and 
from bruises, blows, and other mechanical injuries, the condition is 
more common in the ox in connection with the comparative inactivity 
of the parts. The sheath has a very small external opening, the 
mucous membrane of which is studded with sebaceous glands secret- 
ing a thick, unctuous matter of a strong, heavy odor. Behind this 
orifice is a distinct pouch, in which this unctuous matter is liable to 
accumulate when the penis is habitually drawn back. Moreover, the 
sheath has two muscles (protractors) which lengthen it, passing into 
it from the I'egion of the navel, and two (retractors) that shorten it, 
passing into it from the lower surface of the pelvic bones above. 
(PI. IX, fig. 2.) The protractors keep the sheath stretched, so that 
it habitually covers the penis, while the retractors shorten it up in 
the act of service, so that the penis can project to its full extent. In 
stud bulls the fi-equent protrusion of the erect and enlarged penis 
and the retraction and dilation of the opening of the sheath serve to 
empty the pouch and prevent any accumulation of sebaceous matter 
or urine. In the ox, on the other hand, the undeveloped and inactive 
penis is usually drawn back so as to leave the anterior preputial 
pouch empty, so that the sebaceous matter has space to accumulate 
and is never expelled by the active retraction of the sheath and 
protrusion of the erect penis in service. Again, the ox rarely pro- 
trudes the tip of the penis in urination, the urine is discharged into 
the preputial pouch and lodges and decomposes there, so that there 
is a great liability to the precipitation of its earthy salts in the fonn 
of gravel. The decomposing ammoniacal urine, the gritty crystals 
precipitated from it, and the fetid, rancid, sebaceous matter set up 
inflammation in the delicate mucous membrane lining the passage. 
The membrane is thickened, reddened, rendered friable, and ulti- 
mately ulcerated, and the now narrowed sheath is blocked by the 
increasing mass of sebaceous and urinous material and the decom- 
posing mucus and pus. The penis can no longer be protruded, the 
urine escapes in a small stream through the narrowing sheath, and 
finally the outlet is completely blocked and the urine distends the 
back part of the sheath. This will fluctuate on being handled, and 



154 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

soon the unhealthy inflammation extends on each side of it, causing 
a thick, doughy, tender swelling under the belly and between the 
thighs. The next step in the morbid course is overdistention of the 
bladder, with the occurrence of colicky j^ains, looking at the flanks, 
uneasy movements of the hind limbs, raising or twisting of the tail, 
pulsatory contractions of the urethra under the anus, and finally a 
false appearance of relief, which is caused by rupture of the bladder. 
Before this rupture takes place the distended bladder may press on 
the rectum and obstruct the passage of the bowel dejections. Two 
mistakes are therefore probable — first, that the bowels alone are to 
be relieved, and, second, that the trouble is obstruction of the urethra 
by a stone. Hence the need of examining the sheath and pushing 
the finger into its opening to see that there is no obstruction there, 
in all cases of retention of urine, overdistended bladder, or blocked 
rectum in the ox. The disease may be acute or chronic — the first by 
reason of acute adhesive inflammation blocking the outlet, the second 
by gradual thickening and ulceration of the sheath and blocking by 
the sebaceous and calculous accretion. 

Treatment. — The treatment of this affection will depend on the 
stage. If recent and no instant danger of rupture of the bladder, the 
narrow opening of the sheath should be freely cut open in the median 
line below, and the sac emptied out with a finger or spoon, after 
which it should be thoroughly washed with tepid water. To make 
the cleansing more thorough a catheter or a small rubber tube may 
be inserted well back into the sheath, and water may be forced 
through it from a syringe or a funnel inserted into the other end of 
the tube and considerably elevated. A fountain syringe^ which should 
be found in every house, answers admirably. The sheath may be 
daily washed out with tepid water, with a suds made with Castile 
soaj), or with a weak solution of sulphate of zinc (one-half dram to 
a quart of water). If these attentions are impossible, most cases, 
after cleansing, will do well if merely driven through clean water up 
to the belly once a day. 

In case the disease has progressed to absolute obstruction, with the 
bladder ready to rupture any moment, no time must be lost in open- 
ing into the urethra with a sharp knife over the bony arch under the 
anus, where the pulsations are seen in urinating. This incision is 
best made in the median line from above downward, but in the 
absence of a skillful operator a transverse incision with a sharp knife 
over the bone in the median line until the urine flows with a gush is 
better than to let the patient die. Considerable blood will be lost and 
the wound will heal tardily, but the ox will be preserved. Then the 
slitting and cleansing of the sheath can be done at leisure, as de- 
scribed above. If the bladder is i-uptured, the case is hopeless. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 155 

INFLAMMATION OF THE SHEATH AND PENIS FROM BRUISING. 

This also is an affection of work oxen, caused by the pressure and 
friction of the sling when the animals are held in stocks for shoe- 
ing. This crushing of both sheath and penis for half an hour. or more 
leads to the development, some hours later, of a hard, hot, and pain- 
ful swelling, extending from the scrotum as far as the opening of the 
sheath. Fever sets in, with dry muzzle, red eyes, hard, full^ rapid 
pulse, accelerated breathing, and elevated temperature. The ox 
stands obstinately with his hind legs drawn apart and urine falling 
drojD by drop from the sheath. Appetite and rumination are sus- 
pended. In twenty-four hours there may be indications of advancing 
gangrene (mortification), the swelling becomes cold, soft, and 
doughy ; it may even crack slightly from the presence of gas ; a red- 
dish brown fetid liquid oozes from the swelling, especially around the 
edges, and if the animal survives it is only with a great loss of sub- 
stance of the sheath and penis. 

Prevention,. — The prevention of such an injury is easy. It is only 
necessary to see that the slings shall not press upon the posterior 
part of the abdomen. They must be kept in front of the sheath. 

TreatTnent. — Treatment, to be effective, must be prompt and judi- 
cious. Put a strap around the patient with soft pads in contact with 
the affected parts, constantly soaked in cold water for at least 24 
hours. A pound or two of Epsom salt in 4 quarts of hot water 
should also be given. The second day the parts may be washed with 
1 quart of witch-hazel (extract), 2 drams sugar of lead, and 1 ounce 
laudanum, or the cold-water irrigations may be continued if the active 
inflammation persists. In case the swelling continues hard and resist- 
ant, it may be pricked at the most prominent points to the depth of 
one-third of an inch with a lancet first dipped in dilute carbolic acid, 
and the whole surface should be washed frequently with chlorin water 
or other antiseptic. 

When softening occurs in the center of a hard mass and fluctuation 
can be felt between two fingers pressed on different parts of such soft- 
ening, it should be freely opened to let out the putrid pus, and the 
cavity should be syringed often with chlorin water. 

In bad cases extensive sloughs of dead skin, of the whole wall of the 
sheath, and even of the penis, may take place, which will require care- 
ful antiseptic treatment. The soaking of the urine into the inflamed 
and softened tissue and the setting up of putrefactive action not only 
endanger gTeat destruction of the tissues from putrid inflammation, 
but even threaten life itself from a general blood poisoning (septice- 
mia). Every case should have skillful treatment to meet its various 
phases, but in the severe ones this is most urgently demanded. 



156 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE URETHRA (gONORRHEa). 

Like other males, the bull sometimes suffers from inflammation of 
the canal which conveys the urine through the penis, and forms a con- 
sequent whitish muco-purulent discharge. It may have originated in 
gravel, the excitement of too frequent service, infection from a cow 
w'ith leucorrhea, or from extension of inflammation from the sheath. 
Besides the oozing of the whitish liquid from the end of the penis and 
sheath, there is tenderness and pain when handled, and while there is 
no actual arrest of the urine, its floAV is subject to frequent voluntary 
checks, as the scalding liquid irritates the tender surface. 

Treatment. — If recognized before the discharge sets in, a dose of \\ 
pounds of Epsom salt and local warm fomentations would be appro- 
priate. After the onset of the whitish discharge a daily injection 
into the penis of a solution of 20 grains of permanganate of potash in 
a pint of water will be beneficial. 

WARTS AND PAPILLARY GROWTHS ON THE PENIS. 

These are not frequent in bull or ox. They may interfere with the 
protrusion of the organ from its sheath or with service, and always 
give rise to a bad-smelling discharge. 

Treatment. — They may be twisted off wdth the thumb and fore- 
finger or cut off with a pair of scissors, and the seat burned with a 
pencil of lunar caustic. To get hold of the penis in the bull, bring 
him up to a cow. In the ox it will be necessary to push it out by 
manipulation through the sheath. In difficult cases the narrow 
opening of the sheath may be slit open. 

WOUNDS OF THE PENIS. 

The most common wounds are those sustained by blows of horns, 
sticks, etc. The blood vessels and sacs are ruptured to a greater or 
less extent and considerable swellings filled with coagulated blood 
and inflammatory products occur, leading to distortion of the organ, 
and it may be to the impossibility of protruding it. 

Treatment. — A lotion of a dram of alum in a quart of water may 
be applied (injected into the sheath, if necessary), and a large 
sponge constantly irrigated by a stream of cold water may be kept 
applied by means of a surcingle to the outer side of the sheath. 
Incisions are rarely applicable to an organ of this kind, but in case 
of the existence of an extensive clot which is unlikely to be ab- 
sorbed the lancet may be resorted to. If the injury leads to paralysis 
of the penis and hanging out of its sheath, it should be supported 
in a sling and astringents used freely until inflammation subsides. 
Then the restoration of power may be sought by a blister between 
the thighs, by the use of electricity, or by the careful use of nerve 
stimulants, such as strychnia (2 grains daily). 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 157 

ULCERS ON THE PENIS. 

Sores on the penis of the bull may result from gravel or sebaceous 
masses in the sheath or from having served a cow having leucorrhea. 

Treatment. — These may be treated by frequent injections into the 
sheath of a lotion made with 1 dram sugar of lead, 60 drops carbolic 
acid, and 1 quart water. 

POLYPUS or THE VAGINA OR UTERUS. 

A polypus is a tumor growing from the mucous membrane, and 
often connected to it by a narrow neck. A definite cause can not 
always be assigned. If growing in the vagina, a polypus may 
project as a reddish, rounded tumor from the vulva, especially dur- 
ing the act of passing water. It can be distinguished from descent 
of the womb by the absence of the orifice of that cavity, which can 
be felt by the oiled hand beyond the tumor in the depth of the 
vagina. From a vaginal hernia caused by the protrusion of some 
abdominal organ enveloped by the relaxed wall of the vagina it 
may be distinguished by its persistence, its firm substance, and the 
impossibility of returning it into the abdomen by pressure. A her- 
nia containing a portion of bowel gurgles when handled and can 
be completely effaced by pressure, the gut passing into the abdomen. 

A polypus in the womb is less easily recognized. At the time of 
calving it may be felt through the open mouth of the womb and 
recognized by the educated touch (it must be carefully distinguished 
from the mushroom-formed cotyledons (PI. XIII, fig. 2), to which 
in ruminants the fetal membranes are attached). At other times, 
unless the womb is opened in the effort to expel it, the polypus can 
only be detected by examining the womb with the oiled hand intro- 
duced through the rectum. 

Polypi may cause a muco-purulent discharge or they may only be 
suspected when they prove an obstacle to parturition. The best way 
to remove them is to put the chain of an ecraseur around the neck, 
or pedicle, of the tumor and tear it through; or the narrow neck 
may be torn through by the emasculator, or in an emergency it 
may be twisted through by rotating the tumor on its axis. The 
removal of the tumor will allow calving to proceed; after which 
the sore may be treated by a daily injection of one-half dram sul- 
phate of zinc, 1 dram carbolic acid, and 1 quart milk-warm water. 

SIGNS OF PREGNANCY. 

If a cow remains for three or four weeks after service without 
showing signs of heat (bulling), she is probably pregnant. There 
are very exceptional cases in which the well-fed cow will accept the 
bull weeks or months after actual conception, and others equally 



158 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

exceptional in which the well-thriven but unimpregnated female will 
refuse the male persistently, but these in no way invalidate the gen- 
eral rule. 

The bull, no matter how vigorous or how ardent his sexual instinct, 
can not be made to pay any attention to a cow which is not in heat; 
hence indications of j^regnancy can be had from both the male and 
female side. Wlien she has conceived, the cow usually becomes more 
quiet and docile, and lays on flesh and fat more rapidly, especially 
during the first four months of gestation. The stimulus to digestion 
and nutrition created by the demands of the growing fetus, added to 
the quieter and more uneventful life, contributes to this result. Some 
feeders avail of this disposition to prepare heifers and cows speedily 
for the butcher. 

The enlargement of the abdomen, and its dropping so that it bulges 
below and to each side, while it falls in at the flank, between the outer 
angle of the hip bone and the last rib, are significant features which, 
though they may be caused by abdominal tumor or dropsy, are 
usually marks of pregnancy. From the same increasing weight of 
the abdomen the spine in the region of the loins sinks so that the 
bones of the croup seem to rise, especially back toward the root of 
the tail. In the early stages of pregnancy the udder develops slowly, 
and toward its completion quite rapidly. For a long time there is 
merely a sense of greater fullness when handled ; the wrinkles in the 
skin become shallower and are effaced, and the teats are materially 
enlarged. Beginning a few weeks after conception, this tends to a 
steady development, though slight alternations in the sense of suc- 
cessive growth and shrinkage are not uncommon. In milking cows 
this does not hold, as the milk usually tends to a steady diminution 
and the udder shrinks slowly until near the completion of the period, 
when it undergoes its sudden remarkable development, and yields at 
first a serous liquid and then the yellow colostrum, which coagulates 
when heated. As pregnancy advances the mucous membrane lining 
the vulva becomes swollen and of a darker bluish-red hue, and the 
mucous secretion increases, becoming very abundant just before calv- 
ing. Wlien the feeding has not been altered or restricted, a steady 
diminution of the salts of lime excreted in the urine is an attendant 
on pregnancy, the lime being demanded for the growing body of the 
fetus. 

After the fifth month the movements of the calf may often be 
observed in the right flank, nearly in front of the stifle, when the cow 
is drinking cold water. The sensation of cold on the side of the first 
stomach, which lies to the left and directly below the womb (PI. I), 
stimulates the calf to active movements, which are detected on the 
sudden jerking outward of the abdominal wall as if from blows 
delivered from within. In a loose pendent abdomen in the latter 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 159 

months of gestation the skin may often be seen pushed out at a 
sharp angle, irrespective of the period of drinking. 

Another mode of examination through the flank is by touch. The 
palm of the hand is pressed strongly inward, about 8 inches in front of 
the stifle and a little below, several times in succession, and is then 
brought to rest with the pressure maintained. Presently there are felt 
distinct and characteristic jnovements of the fetus, which has been 
disturbed and roused to action. Another mode is to press the closed 
fist strongly inward in the same situation and hold it so, forming a 
deep indentation in the abdominal wall. Presently the knuckles are 
felt to be struck by a solid body, which is no other than the fetus that 
had been displaced to the left by the push of the hand, and now floats 
back in its liquid covering (amniotic fluid; see PI. XII) downward 
and to the right. 

Of all the modes of examination by touch, that done through the 
rectum gives the earliest satisfactory indications. The hand and 
arm, well oiled, are introduced, and the excrement having been 
removed if necessary, the palm of the hand is turned downward and 
the floor of the pelvis carefully examined. There will be felt in the 
median line the pear-shaped outline of the bladder, more or less full, 
rounded or tense, according to the quantity of urine it contains. 
Between this and the hand will be felt a soft, somewhat rounded 
tubular body, which divides in front into two smaller tubes or 
branches, extending to the right and left into the abdomen. This 
is the womb, which in its virgin, or unimpregnated, condition is of 
nearly uniform size from before backward, the main part or body 
being from 1| to 2 inches across, and the two anterior branches or 
horns being individually little over an inch wide. Immediately after 
conception the body and one of the horns begin to enlarge, the vacant 
horn remaining disproportionately small, and the enlargement will 
be most marked at one point, where a solid rounded mass indicates 
the presence of the growing embryo. In case of twins, both horns 
are enlarged. At a more advanced stage, when the embryo begins 
to assume the form of the future animal, the rounded form gives 
place to a more or less irregular nodular mass, while later still the 
head, limbs, and body of the fetus may be distinctly made out. The 
chief source of fallacy is found in the very pendent abdomen of cer- 
tain cows, into which in advanced gestation the fetus has dropped 
so low that it can not be felt by the hand in the rectum. The absence 
of the distinct outline of the vacant womb, however, and the clear 
indications obtained on external examination through the right flank 
will serve to prevent any mistake. The fetus may still be felt 
through the rectum if the abdomen is raised by a sheet passed from 
side to side beneath it. 



160 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Still another sign is the beating of the fetal heart, "which may be 
heard in the latter half of pregnancy when the ear is pressed on the 
flanlv in front of the right stifle or from that downward to the udder. 
The beats, which are best heard in the absence of rumbling, are 
about 120 per minute and easily distinguished from any bowel sounds 
by their perfect regularity. 

DURATION OF PREGNANCY. 

From extended statistics it is found that the average duration of 
pregnancy in the cow is 285 days. A calf bom at the two hundred 
and fortieth day may live, and a case is reported by Dietrichs of a 
calf bom on the three hundred and thirty-fifth day, and another by 
the American Journal of Medical Science as born on the three hun- 
dred and thirty-sixth day. It is the general observation that in 
the majority of prolonged pregnancies the oif spring is male. Lord 
Spencer found a preponderance of males between the two hundred 
and ninetieth and the three hundredth days, but strangely enough 
all born after the three hundredth day under his observation were 
females. It might be reasonably inferred that while the prevailing 
tendency is to carry the males overtime, yet that the smaller and 
comparatively much less developed female sometimes fails to stimul- 
late the womb to contraction until very far beyond the regular date. 

HYGIENE OF THE PREGNANT COW. 

Among domestic animals considerations of hygiene must be made 
subservient to profit, and therefore the first consideration is not to 
secure the most robust health, but such a measure of vigor and 
stamina as is compatible with the most profitable utilization of the 
animal. The breeding cow must carry a calf every year, and this 
notwithstanding that she is at the same time suckling another large 
growing calf. The dairy cow must breed every year, and at the 
same time must furnish a generous flow of milk from nine to elev n 
months yearly. If her health is lowered thereby or her life short- 
ened, the question of profit must still hold sway, and she must yield 
her place to another when disqualified. There are exceptions, of 
course, but this rule generally holds. 

There are certain points, however, in which the interests of hygiene 
may be considered. The pregnant cow should have exercise, and as 
regards both exercise and food, nothing is better than a run on a 
smooth pasture. She should be withheld from all violent excitement, 
hunting with dogs, riding or being ridden by cows in heat, driving in 
herd rapidly through narrow gateways, causing to jump ditches or 
fences, subjecting to blows with the horns of pugnacious cattle, driv- 
ing on icy or otherwise slippery ground, carrying in railroad cars, 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 161 

kicking by vicious attendants, and fastening or throwing down for 
operations. The diet should be good, not of a kind to fatten, but 
with a generous amount of nitrogenous constituents Avhich will favor 
at once the yield of milk and the nourishment of the fetus. Aliments 
rich in lime and phosphates, like wheat bran, middlings, etc., can be 
used to advantage, as there is a constant drain of earthy salts for the 
building of the body of the calf, and thereby the danger of undue 
concentration of the urine is lessened. 

Hard, innutritions, and indigestible aliments, musty grain or hay, 
partially ripened rye grass, millet, Hungarian grass, vetches, peas, or 
maize are objectionable, as they are liable to cause indigestion or 
even paralysis; and corn or hay affected by smut or ergot, or that has 
been spoiled by wet, overripened, and rendered fibrous and innutri- 
tions, are equally objectionable. The food should be in the main 
laxative, as costiveness and straining are liable to cause abortion. 
Roots and green food that have been frosted are objectionable, as 
being liable to cause indigestion, though in their fresh condition most 
wholesome and desirable. Ice-cold water should be avoided, as cal- 
culated to check the flow of milk, to derange digestion, and to cause 
abortion. A good temperature for the drink of the dairy cow is 55° F. 

In the case of plethoric and heavy milking cows of mature age and 
in the prime of life, the hitherto liberal diet must be changed at the 
last week for the scantiest possible fare, and the bowels must be kept 
open by laxatives, if need be, if the owner would avoid milk fever. 
The pregnant cow should be kept away from the sight and odor of 
dead carcasses, from the smell of decomposing animal matter, and 
from stagnant and corrupting water. Her stall should not incline 
downward from shoulder to croup, lest the pressure of the abdominal 
organs should produce protrusion or abortion. She should be kept 
aloof from all causes of acute diseases, and all existing diseases should 
be remedied speedily and with as little excitement of the abdominal 
organs as possible. Strong purgatives and diuretics are to be espe- 
cially avoided, unless it be in the very last days of gestation in very 
plethoric cows. 

Finallj^, in the case of pure breeds, close association with animals 
of other breeds or crosses, or with animals of other colors, forms, or 
with defects, is to be carefully guarded against. The effects shown 
in the progeny may be exceptional, yet they are none the less sources 
of preventable loss. 

PROrRUSION OF THE VAGINA ( PROLAPSUS VAGINA ). 

This is common during pregnancy from chronic relaxation of the 

vaginal walls and from lying in stalls that are lower behind than in 

front. The protrusion is of a rounded form and smooth, and if it 

embraces both sides of the canal it is double, with a passage between. 

16923°— 12 11 



162 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

It may sometimes be remedied by raising the hind part of the stall 
higher than the front part. This failing, a truss may be applied as 
for eversion of the womb, and worn until the period of calving 
approaches. (Pis. XXII, XXIII.) 

HERNIA (breach) OF THE UTERUS. 

This occurs usually in advanced pregnancy from a gradual relaxa- 
tion and distention of the lower wall of the abdomen in the region of 
the udder, so that the latter is displaced downward, and in the sac 
above and in front of it may be felt the form and movements of the 
fetus. In other cases the womb escapes through a great laceration of 
the abdominal muscles to one side of the udder, and the hernial mass 
extends down to one side of that organ. However unsightly, this 
often allows the animal to complete its pregnancy naturally, and a 
broad supporting bandage placed around the abdomen is about all 
that can be recommended. After calving it is best to fatten the cow. 

CRAMPS OF THE HIND LIMBS. 

The compression by the womb and fetus of the nerves passing 
through the pelvis sometimes causes cramp and inability to move the 
limb, but it disappears under friction and motion and is never seen 
after calving. 

DROPSY OF THE HIND LIMBS AND BETWEEN THE THIGHS. 

In the latter months of pregnancy the hind legs may swell beneath 
the hocks, or a soft swelling which pits on pressure with the finger 
appears from the vulva down between the thighs to the udder and in 
front. It is mainly due to the pressure of the enlarged womb on the 
blood vessels, is not dangerous, and disappears after calving. 

DROPSY OF THE MEMBRANES OF THE FETUS ( DROPSY OF THE WOMb). 

The unimpregnated womb may be filled with a dropsical fluid, but 
the pregnant womb is more liable to become overdistended by an 
excess of fluid in the inner water bag in which the fetus floats. (PI. 
XII.) From an unhealthy state of this membrane or of blood of 
the fetus (watery blood) this liquid may go on accumulating until 
the cow seems almost as broad as she is long. If the trouble has not 
originated in the ill health of the cow, the result is still to draw on 
her system, overtax her strength, and derange her digestion, so that 
the result may prove fatal to both mother and offspring. On the 
other hand, I have known extreme cases come to the natural term 
without help and produce a living calf, after which the dam did well. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 163 

The natural resort is to draw off a portion of the fluid through a 
hollow needle passed through the neck of the womb or through its 
tense wall adjacent. This may be repeated several times, as de- 
manded, to relieve the cow from the injurious distention. 

PARALYSIS OF THE HIND PARTS. 

In ill-fed, weak, unthrifty cows palsy of the hind limbs and tail 
may appear in the last weeks of pregnancy. The anus and rectum 
may participate in the palsy so far as to prevent defecation, and the 
rectum is more or less completely impacted. Exposure to wet and 
cold are often accessory causes, though the low condition, general 
weakness, and the pressure on the nerves going to the hind limbs are 
not to be forgotten. Something may be done for these cases by a 
warm, dry bed, an abundant diet fed warm, frictions with straw 
wisps or with a liniment of equal parts of oil of turpentine and sweet 
oil on the loins, croup, and limbs, by the daily use of ginger and gen- 
tian, by the cautious administration of strychnia (2 grains twice 
daily), and by sending a current of electricity daily from the loins 
through the various groups of muscles in the hind limbs. The case 
becomes increasingly hopeful after calving, though some days may 
still elapse before the animal can support herself upon her limbs. 

EXTRA-UTERINE GESTATION (fETUS DEVELOPING OUTSIDE THE WOMb). 

These curious cases are rare and are usually divided into three 
types: (1) That in which the fetus is formed in or on the ovary 
(ovarian gestation) ; (2) that in which it is lodged in the Fallopian 
tube, or canal between the ovary and womb (tubal gestation) ; and 
(3) that in which it is lodged in the abdominal cavity and attached 
to one or more of its contents from which it draws its nourishment 
(abdominal gestation). Undoubted cases of the first and last varie- 
ties are recorded as occurring in the cow. The explanation of such 
cases is to be found in the fact that the actively moving sperm cells 
(spermatozoa) thrown into the womb have made their way through 
the Fallopian tubes to the ovary. If they met and impregnated an 
ovum in the tube, and if the consequent growth of that ovum pre- 
vented its descent and caused its imprisonment within the tube, it 
developed there, getting attached to and drawing nourishment from 
the mucous walls. Such product has its development arrested by 
compression by the undilatable tube, or, bursting through the walls 
of the tube, it escapes into the abdomen and perishes. If, on the 
contrary, the spermatozoa only meet and impregnate the ovum on or 
in the ovary, the development may take place in the substance of the 



164 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

ovary, from which the fetus draws its nourishment, or the impreg- 
nated ovum, escaping between the ovary and the open end of the 
tube, falls into the abdominal cavity and becomes adherent to and 
draws nourishment from some of the abdominal organs (womb, 
bowel, liver, stomach, etc.). 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are those of pregnancy, which may 
be suddenly complicated by inflammation (peritonitis), owing to 
rupture of the sac containing the fetus; or at full term signs of 
calving appear, but no progress is made; an examination with the 
oiled hand in the vagina or rectum finds the womb empty and its 
mouth closed. Further, examination will disclose the fetal sac at- 
tached in some part of the abdominal cavity and containing the 
more or less perfectly developed body of a calf. In the most hope- 
ful cases the fetus perishes at an early stage of gestation, becomes 
inclosed in a fibrous sac, and is slowly absorbed, its soft parts becom- 
ing liquefied and removed and the bones remaining encysted. In 
some cases the bones have finally sloughed into the rectum or through 
an artificial opening in the side of the belly. 

Treatment. — Little can be done in such cases except to quiet pain 
and excitement by anodynes (opium, chloral, etc.) and leave the rest 
to nature. A fistula discharging bones may be dilated and the bones 
extracted, the sac being then washed out with a solution of 10 grains 
bichlorid of mercury in a quart of water. In certain cases with a 
live calf a skillful operator might be justified in cutting into the 
abdomen and extracting the calf with its membranes, using the lotion 
just named as an antiseptic. 

PROLONGED RETENTION OF THE FETUS. 

Even when the fetus has developed within the womb it may fail to 
be delivered at the proper time; labor pains have quickly subsided 
and the cow resumed her usual health. In such cases the calf dies^ 
and its soft parts are gradually liquefied and absorbed, while its bones 
remain for years in the womb inclosed in the remains of the fetal 
membranes. These may be expelled at any time through the natural 
channels, or they may remain indefinitely in the womb, not interfer- 
ing with the general health, but preventing conception. 

If the true condition of things is recognized at the time of the sub- 
sidence of the labor pains, the mouth of the womb may be dilated by 
the fingers, by the insertion of sponge tents, or by a mechanical 
dilator (PI. XX, fig. 6), the fetal membranes may be ruptured and the 
calf extracted. After the removal of the calf and its membranes the 
danger of putrid poisoning may be obviated by injecting the anti- 
septic solution advised in the paragraph above. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 165 

ABORTION (slinking THE CALf) . 

Technically, abortion is the term used for the expulsion of the off- 
spring before it can live out of the womb. Its expulsion after it is 
capable of an independent existence is premature parturition. In the 
cow this may be after seven and one-half months of pregnancy. Earl 
Spencer failed to raise any calf born before the two hundred and 
forty-second day. Dairymen use the term abortion for the explusion 
of the product of conception at any time before the completion of the 
full period of a normal pregnancy, and in this sense it will be em- 
ployed in this article. 

Abortion in cows is either contagious or noncontagious. It does not 
follow that the contagium is the sole cause in every case in which it is 
present. We know that the organized germs of contagion vary much 
in potency at different times, and that the animal system also varies 
in susceptibility to their attack. The germ may therefore be present 
in a herd without any manifest injury, its disease-producing power 
having for the time abated considerably, or the whole herd being in a 
condition of comparative insusceptibility. At other times the same 
germ may have become so virulent that almost all pregnant cows suc- 
cumb to its force, or the herd may have been subjected to other causes 
of abortion which, though of themselves powerless to actually cause 
abortion, may yet so predispose the animals that even the weaker 
germ will operate with destructive effect. In dealing with this dis- 
ease, therefore, it is the part of wisdom not to rest satisfied with the 
discovery and removal of one specific cause, but rather to exert one- 
self to find every existent cause and to secure a remedy by correcting 
all the harmfiil conditions. 

CAUSES OF NONCONTAGIOUS ABORTION. 

As abortion most frequently occurs at those three-week intervals 
at which the cow would have been in heat if nonpregnant, we may 
assume a predisposition at such times due to a periodicity in the 
nervous system and functions. Poor condition, weakness, and a too 
watery state of the blood is often a predisposing cause. This in its 
turn may result from poor or insufficient food, from the excessive 
drain upon the udder while bearing the calf, from the use of food 
deficient in certain essential elements, like the nitrogenous constitu- 
ents or albuminoids, from chronic wasting diseases, from roundworms 
or tapeworms in the bowels, from flatworms (flukes, trematodes) in the 
liver, from worms in the lungs, from dark, damp, unhealthful build- 
ings, etc. In some such cases the nourishment is so deficient that the 
fetus dies in the womb and is expelled in consequence. Excessive 
loss of blood, attended as it usually is by shock, becomes a direct 
cause of abortion. 



166 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Acute inflammations of important organs are notorious causes of 
abortion, and in most contagious fevers (lung plague, rinderpest, 
foot-and-mouth disease) it is a common result. Affections of the chest 
which prevent due aeration of the blood induce contractions of the 
womb, as shown experimentally by Brown- Sequard. Pregnant wo- 
men suffocated in smoke aborted in many cases. (Retoul.) 

Chronic diseases of the abdominal organs are fertile sources of abor- 
tion, especially those that cause bloating (tympany of the first stom- 
ach) or diarrhea, or the diseases of the ovaries, kidneys, or bladder. 
The presence of gravel, or stone, in the kidneys, bladder, or urinary 
canals is an especial predisposing or even an exciting cause in mag- 
nesian limestone districts and in winter. The presence of tubercles 
in the ovaries, the broad ligaments of the womb, and even on the 
outer surface of the womb itself, must be added as efficient causes. 

Fatty degeneration of the heart, a common disease in old cows of 
improved beef breeds, lessons the circulation in the placenta (and 
fetus) and, arresting nutrition, may cause abortion. 

Indigestions of all kinds are especially dangerous, as they are 
usually associated with overdistention of the first stomach (paunch) 
with gas. As this stomach lies directly beneath and to the left side 
of the womb, any disorder, and above all an excessive distention of 
that organ, presses on or affects the womb and its contents danger- 
ously. It further causes contractions of the womb by preventing 
aeration of the blood. Hence all that tends to indigestion is to be 
carefully guarded against. Privation of water, which hinders rumi- 
nation and digestion ; ice-cold water, which rouses the womb to con- 
traction and the calf to vigorous movement; green, succulent grass, 
to which the cow has been unaccustomed ; clover which has just been 
wet with a slight shower; all green food, roots, potatoes, apples, 
pumpkins tliat are frozen or have been, or that are simply covered 
with hoar frost; food that has been grown in wet seasons or that has 
been badly harvested ; growing corn, oats, etc., if the animal is unused 
to them; a too dry food or a too stimulating food (wheat, bran, peas, 
maize, and cotton seed) fed too lavishly may, any one of them, in- 
duce abortion. The dry and stimulating foods last named bring on 
constipation with straining, and also elevated temperature of the 
body, which, in itself, endangers the life of the fetus. 

Putrid, stagnant water is hurtful both to digestion and the fetus, 
and abortions in cows have been repeatedly traced to this source and 
have ceased when pure water was supplied. Ergoted grasses have 
long been known as a cause of wide-spread abortion in cows. The 
ergot is familiar as the dark purple or black, hard, spur-like growths 
which protrude from the seeds of the grasses at the period of their 
ripening. (PI. V.) It is especially common in damp localities and 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS, 167 

cloudy seasons on meadows shaded by trees and protected against the 
free sweep of the winds. The same is to a large extent true of smut. 
Hence, wet years have been often remarkable for the great prevalence 
of abortions. Abortions have greatly increased in New Zealand 
among cows since the introduction of rye grass, which is specially 
subject to ergot. As abortion is more prevalent in old dairying dis- 
tricts, the ergot may not bethe sole cause in this instance. 

The smut of maize, wheat, barley, and oats is fostered by similar 
conditions and is often equally injurious. It should be added that 
the ergots and smuts of certain j'^ears are far more injurious than those 
of others. This may be attributed to the fact that they have grown 
under different conditions, and therefore have developed somewhat 
different properties, a habit of fungi which has been often observed ; 
or that in certain seasons the cows have been more powerfully pre- 
disposed by other operative causes of abortion. 

Both ergot and smut vary in potency according to the stage of 
growth. Dr. Kluge found that the ergot gathered before the grain 
had fully ripened was much more powerful than that from the fully 
ripened grain. McGugen found the ergot of wheat more potent than 
that of rye. It should be added that both ergot and smut are robbed 
somewhat of their deleterious properties if fed with an abundance of 
water, so that they may prove harmless if fed with roots, ensilage, 
etc., whereas they will prove hurtful when fed in the same amount 
with dry hay. They are also more liable to injure if fed for a long- 
time in succession in winter, though it may be in smaller quantity. 

Rust is also charged with causing abortions.^ That other crypto- 
gams found in musty fodder are productive of abortion has been 
well established. In Germany and France the wet years of 1851, 
1852, and 1853 w^ere notorious for the prevalence of abortions.^ 
Fodders harvested in such seasons are always more or less musty, 
and musty hay and grain have been long recognized as a prolific 
cause of digestive, urinary, and cerebral disorders. Impactions and 
bloatings of the stomachs, excessive secretion of urine (diuresis), and 
red- water are common results of such musty fodder, and we have 
already seen that such disorders of the digestive and urinary organs 
are very liable to affect the pregnant womb and induce abortion. 

The riding of one another by cows is attended by such severe mus- 
cular exertion, jars, jolts, mental excitement, and gravitation of the 
•womb and abdominal organs backward that it may easily cause 
abortion in a predisposed animal. 

Keeping in stalls that slope too much behind (over 2 inches) acts 
in the same way, the compression due to lying and the gravitation 
backward proving more than a predisposed cow can safely bear. 

1 Gerlach, Haselbach. 

* Baumeister, Rueflf, Rondaud, Trelut. 



168 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Deep gutters behind the stalls, into which one or both hind limbs 
slip unexpectedly, strain the loins and jar the body and womb most 
injuriously. Slippery stalls in which the flooring boards are laid 
longitudinally in place of transversely, and on which no cleats or 
other device is adopted to give a firm foothold, are almost equally 
dangerous. Driving on icy ground or through a narrow doorway 
where the abdomen is liable to be jammed are other common causes. 
Offensive odors undoubtedly cause abortion. To understand this 
one must take into account the preternaturally acute sense of smell 
possessed by cattle. By this sense the bull instantly recognizes the 
pregnant cow and refrains from disturbing her, while man, with all 
his boasted skill and precise methods, finds it difficult to come to a 
just conclusion. The emanations from a cow in heat, however, will 
instantly draw the bull from a long distance. Carrion in the pas- 
ture fields or about slaughterhouses near by, the emanations from 
shallow graves, dead rats or chickens about the barns, and dead 
calves, the product of prior abortions, are often chargeable with the 
occurrence of abortions. Aborting cows often fail to expel the after- 
birth, and if this remains hanging in a putrid condition it is most 
injurious to pregnant cows in the near vicinity. So w^ith retained 
afterbirth in other cows after calving. That some cows kept in filthy 
stables or near-by slaughterhouses may become inured to the odors 
and escape the evil results is no disproof of the injurious effects so 
often seen in such cases. 

The excitement, jarring, and jolting of a railroad journey wnll 
often cause abortion, especially as the cow nears the period of calv- 
ing, and the terror or injuiy of railway or other accidents prove 
incomparably worse. 

All irritant poisons cause abortions by the disorder and inflamma- 
tion of the digestive organs, and if such agents act also on the kidneys 
or womb, the effect is materially enhanced. Powerful purgatives or 
diuretics should never be administered to the pregnant cow. 

During pregnancy the contact of the expanding womb with the 
paunch, just beneath it, and its further intimate connection through 
nervous sympathy with the whole digestive system, leads to various 
fimctional disorders, and especially to a morbid craving for unnatural 
objects of food. In the cow this is shown in the chewing of bones, 
pieces of wood, iron bolts, articles of clothing, lumps of hardened 
paint, etc. An unsatisfied craving of this kind, producing constant 
excitement of the nervous system, will strongly conduce to abortion. 
How much more so if the food is lacking in the mineral matter, and 
especially the phosphate necessary for the building up of the body of 
both dam and offspring, to say nothing of that drained off in every 
milking. This state of things is present in many old dairy farms, 
from which the mineral matters of the surface soil have been sold off 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 169 

in the milk or cheese for generations and no return has been made 
in food or manure purchased. Here is the craving of an imperative 
need, and if it is not supplied the health of the cow suffers and the 
life of the fetus may be sacrificed. 

Among other causes of abortion must be named the death or the 
various illnesses of the fetus, which are about as numerous as those 
of the adult ; the slipping' of a young fetus through a loop in the 
navel string so as to tie a knot which will tighten later and interi*upt 
the flow of blood with fatal effect, and the twisting of the navel 
string by the turning of the fetus until little or no blood can flow 
through the consorted cord. There is in addition a series of diseases 
of the mucous membrane of the womb, and of the fetal membranes 
(inflammation, effusion of blood, detachment of the membranes from 
the womb, fatty or other degenerations, etc.), which interfere with 
the supply of blood to the fetus or change its quality so that death 
is the natural result, followed by abortion. 

CAUSE OF CONTAGIOUS ABORTION. 

While any one of the above conditions may concur with the con- 
tagious principle in precipitating an epizootic of abortion, yet it is 
only by reason of the contagvmn that the disease can be indefinitely 
perpetuated and transferred from herd to herd. When an aborting 
cow is placed in a herd that has hitherto been healthy and shortly 
afterwards miscarriage becomes prevalent in that herd and continues 
year after year, in spite of the fact that all the other conditions of life 
in that herd remain the same as before, it is manifest that the result 
is due to contagion. Wlien a bull living in a healthy herd has been 
allowed to serve an aborting cow, or a cow from an aborting herd, and 
when the members of his own herd subsequently served by him abort 
in considerable numbers, contag^ion may be safely inferred. Mere 
living in the same pasture or building does not convey the infection. 
Cows brought into the aborting herd in advanced pregnancy carry 
their calves to the full time. But cows served by the infected bull, or 
that have had the infection conveyed by the tongue or tail of other 
animals, or by their own, or that have had the external genitals 
brought in contact with wall, fence, rubbing post, litter, or floor pre- 
viously soiled by the infected animals, will be liable to suffer. The 
Scottish abortion committee found that when healthy, pregnant cows 
merely stood with or near aborting cows they escaped, but when a 
piece of cotton wool lodged for 20 minutes in the vagina of the abort- 
ing cow was afterwards inserted into the vagina of a healthy, preg- 
nant cow or sheep these latter invariably aborted within a month. 
So Roloff relates that in two large stables at Erfurt, without any 
direct intercommunication, but filled with cows fed and managed in 
precisely the same way, abortion prevailed for years in the one, while 



170; DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

not a single case occurred in the other. Galtier finds that the vims 
from the aborting cow causes abortions in the sow, ewe, goat, rabbit, 
and guinea pig, and that if it has been intensified by passing through 
either of the two last-named animals it will also affect the mare, bitch, 
and cat. 

It does not appear that it is always the same organism which 
causes contagious abortion. In France, Nocard found in the aborting 
membranes and the mucous membrane cocci, or globular bodies, singly 
or in chains, and a very delicate rod-shaped organism by which the 
disease was propagated and which survived in the womb through the 
interval between successive pregnancies. The Scottish commission 
found as many as five separate kinds of bacteria. Bang, in Denmark, 
found a very delicate rod-shaped organism showing its most active 
growth at two different depths in nutrient gelatin, and which pro- 
duced abortion in 21 days when inoculated on the susceptible preg- 
nant cow. In America, Chester, of Delaware, and Moore, of New 
York, constantly found organisms differing somewhat in the two 
States, but evidently of the same group w^ith the colon germ {Bacillus 
coli communis). These were never found in the healthy pregnant 
womb, but in the cow that had aborted they continued to live in that 
organ for many months after the loss of the fetus. 

We may reasonably conclude that any microorganism which can 
live in or on the lining membrane of the womb, producing a catarrhal 
inflammation, and which can be transferi;ed from animal to animal 
without losing its vitality or potency, is of necessity a cause of con- 
tagious abortion. As viewed, therefore, from the particular germ 
that may be present, we must recognize not one fomi only of conta- 
gious abortion, but several, each due to its own infecting germ, and 
each differing from others in minor particulars, like duration of incu- 
bation, infection of the general system, and the like. In Europe the 
germs discovered seem to affect the general system much more than 
do those found in America. Bang's germ caused abortion in 21 days ; 
the New^ York germ, inoculated at service, often fails to cause abor- 
tion before the fifth or seventh month. 

Symrjjtoms of abortion. — As occuring during the first two or three 
months of gestation, symptoms may escape detection, and unless the 
aborted product is seen the fact of abortion may escape notice. Some 
soiling of the tail wdth mucus, blood, and the waters may be observed 
or the udder may show extra firmness, and in the virgin heifer or dry 
cow the presence of a few drops of milk may be suggestive, or the 
fetus and its membranes may be found in the gutter or elsewhere as 
a mere clot of blood or as a membranous ball in wliich the forming 
body of the fetus is found. In water the villi of the outer membrane 
(chorion, PI. XII) float out, giving it a characteristically shaggy 
appearance. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 171 

In advanced pregnancy abortion is largely the counterpart of par- 
turition, so that a special description is supei'fluous. The important 
thing is to distinguish the early symptoms from those of other dis- 
eases, so that the tendency may be arrested and the animal carried 
to full time if possible. A cow is dull, sluggish, separate from the 
herd, chewing the cud languidly, or there may be frequent lying down 
and rising, uneasy movenients of the hind feet or of the tail, and 
slightly accelerated pulse and breathing, and dry muzzle. The im- 
portant thing is not to confound it with, digestive or urinary disor- 
der, but in a pregnant cow to examine at once for any increase of 
mucus in the vagina, or for blood or liquid there or on the root of the 
tail ; for any enlargement, firmness, or tenderness of the udder ; or in 
dry cows examine for milk; and above all for any slight straining 
suggestive of labor pains. 

In many cases the membranes are discharged with the fetus; in 
others, in advanced pregnancy, they fail to come away, and remain 
hanging from the vulva, putrefying and falling piecemeal, finally 
resulting in a fetid discharge from the womb. According toi»the size 
of the herd, contagious abortions will follow one another at intervals 
of one to four or more weeks, in the order of their infection or of the 
recurrence of the period of activity of the womb which corresponds 
to the occurrence of heat. 

Prevention. — Weakness and bloodlessness are to be obviated by 
generous feeding, and especially in aliments (wheat bran, rape cake, 
cotton seed, oats, barley, beans, peas, etc.) rich in earthy salts, 
which will also serve to correct the morbid appetite. This will also 
regenerate the exhausted soil if the manure is returned to it. In the 
same way the application of gi-ound bones or phosphates will correct 
the evil, acting in this case through the soil first and raising better 
food for the stock. The ravages of worms are to be obviated by 
avoiding infested pastures, ponds, streams, shallow wells, or those 
receiving any surface leakage from land where stock go, and by feed- 
ing salt at will, as this agent is destructive to most young worms. 

The tendency to urinary calculi in winter is avoided by a succulent 
diet (ensilage, steamed food, roots, pumpkins, apples, potatoes, slops), 
and by the avoidance of the special causes named under " Gravel." 
(See p. 130.) Furnishing w^ater inside the barn in winter in place of 
driving once a day to take their fill of ice-cold water will obviate a 
common evil. Putrid and stagnant w^aters are to be avoided. Sud- 
den changes of food are always reprehensible, but much more so in 
the pregnant animal. Let the change be gradual. Carefully avoid 
the use of spoiled or unwholesome food. 

In case of prevalence of ergot in a pasture it should be kept eaten 
down or cut down with a mower so that no portion runs to seed. 
(See PI. V.) In case of a meadow the grass must be cut early before 



172 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the seeds have filled. The most dangerous time appears to be between 
the formation of the milky seed and the full ripening. Yet the ergot 
is larger in proportion to the ripeness, so that the loss of potency is 
made up in quantity. The ripe seed and ergot may be removed by 
thrashing and the hay safely fed. It may also be noted that both 
ergot and smut may be safely fed in moderate quantity, provided it 
is used with succulent food (ensilage, roots, etc.) or with free access 
to water, and salt is an excellent accessory as encouraging the animal 
to drink. Both ergot and smut are most injurious in winter, when the 
water supply is frozen up or accessible only at long intervals. The 
ergoted seed when thrashed out can not be safely sown, but if first 
boiled it may be fed in small amount or turned into manure. The 
gi'owth of both ergot and smut may be to a large extent prevented by 
the time-honored Scotch practice of sprinkling the seed with a satu- 
rated solution of sulphate of copper before sowing. 

Fields badly affected with ergot or smut may be practically renewed 
by plowing up and cultivating for a series of years under crops (tur- 
nips, be«ts, potatoes, buckwheat, etc.) which do not harbor the fimgus 
and which require much cultivation and exiwsure of the soil. Drain- 
age and the removal of all unnecessary barriers to the free action of 
sunshine and wind are important provisions. 

Other precautions concerning separation from cows in heat — a 
proper construction of stalls, the avoidance of carrion and other 
offensive odors, protection from all kinds of mechanical injuries, 
including overdriving and carrying by rail in advanced pregnancy, 
the exclusion of all irritants or strong purgatives and diuretics from 
food or medicine, and the guarding against all causes of indigestion 
and bloating — have been sufficiently indicated under "Causes" 
(p. 169). For protection of the womb and fetus against the various: 
causes of disease, available methods are not so evident. For cows 
that have aborted in the last pregnancy, chlorate of potash, 3 drams 
daily before the recurrence of the expected abortion, has been held 
to be useful. 

TREATMFNT OF NONCONTAGIOUS ABORTION. 

Although the first symptoms of abortion have appeared, it does not 
follow that it will go on to completion. So long as the fetus has not 
perished, if the Avatei^ have not been discharged, nor the water bags 
presented, attempts should be made to check its progress. Every 
appreciable and removable cause should be done away with, the cow 
should be placed in a quiet stall alone, and agents given to check the 
excitement of the labor pains. Laudanum in doses of 1 ounce for a 
small cow or 2 ounces for a large one should be promptly administered 
and repeated in three or four hours, should the labor pains recur. 
This may be kept up for days or even weeks if necessary, though that 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 173 

is rarely required, as the trouble either subsides or abortion occurs. 
If the laudanum seems to lack pennanency of action, use bromid of 
potassium, or, better, extract of Viburnum, prunifolimn (40 grains), 
at intervals of two or three hours until five or six doses have been 
given. 

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CONTAGIOUS ABORTION. 

So far as this differs from the treatment of sporadic abortion, it 
consists in separation and the free use of germicides or disinfectants. 

(1) Separate all aborting cows in isolated building, yard, and pas- 
ture, allowing no other cows to have access even to their manure, 
liquid or solid. Not even breeding ewes, goats, sows, rabbits, or 
mares should be allowed to go from the isolated to the noninfected 
j)remises. Separate attendants and utensils are desirable. 

(2) Scrape and wash the back part of the stall and gutter and water 
it with a solution of 5 ounces sulphate of copper (bluestone) in 1 gal- 
lon pure water. Repeat this cleaning and watering at least once a 
week. This should in all cases be applied to every stall where an 
aborting cow has stood and to those adjacent. To treat the whole in 
the same way would be even better, as it is impossible to say how 
many of the cows harbor the germ. This is the more needful, since 
in one to three years, if the aborting cow is kept on, she becomes 
insusceptible and carries her calf to full time. A cow may therefore 
be infecting to others though she herself no longer aborts. 

(3) Dissolve 1 dram corrosive sublimate, 1 ounce each of alcohol 
and glycerin, and shake this up in a gallon of water, to use as an in- 
jection into the vagina and a wash for the parts about the vulva and 
root of the tail. Being very poisonous, it should be kept in a wooden 
barrel out of the way of animals or children. Every morning the 
vulva, anus, back of the hips, and root of the tail should be sponged 
with this liquid, and this is best applied to the whole herd. A 1 per 
cent solution of carbolic acid is a good substitute. 

(4) When any case of abortion has occurred the fetal membranes 
must be removed by the hand without delay, and, together with the 
fetus, destroyed by burning or boiling, or buried deeply, and the stall 
should be cleansed and watered freely with the copper solution. 
Then the womb should be washed out with 1^ gallons of the corrosive- 
sublimate solution injected through a rubber tube introduced to the 
depth of the womb and with a funnel in its outer elevated end. This 
should be repeated daily for a week. In the case of the other non- 
pregnant cows of the herd one injection of the same kind should be 
made into the vagina, after which they need only have their external 
parts and tail washed with the solution daily. 

(5) Do not breed aborting cows for two or three months, then use a 
separate bull, injecting his sheath and washing his belly before and 



174 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

after each service with the carbolic-acid solution. Exclude all out- 
side cows from service by the regular herd sire, and in purchasing 
breeding animals subject them to quarantine and treatment before 
placing them in the sound herd. 

As a certain number of the cows will harbor the germ in the womb 
when treatment is started, it is not to be expected that abortions will 
cease at once, but by keeping up the treatment the trouble may 
be got rid of in the following year. As an aborting cow is usually of 
little use for the dairy, it is best to separate and fatten her and apply 
treatment to those that remain. In this, as in other delicate manipu- 
lations, the stock owner will consult his own interest by employing an 
accomplished veterinarian and avoiding such as have not had the 
privileges of a thorough profassional education. In addition to the 
above, the removal of all manure and contaminated litter and the 
sprinkling of the surface with the sulphate of copper solution is called 
for. Drains should no less be thoroughly rinsed and disinfected. 
Milking stools and other implements may be treated in the same way, 
or with carbolic acid or boiling water. Great care should be taken to 
guard against bull or cows from an aborting herd or district; streams 
even may be suspected if there is an aborting herd near by and higher 
up on that stream. Cows sent to bull from an aborting herd are to be 
positively denied, and worlanen that have attended on such a herd 
should be made to wash and disinfect their clothes and persons. 

SYMPTOMS or CALVING. 

In the cow the premonitions of calving are the enlargement of the 
udder, which becomes firm and resistant to the touch, with more or 
less swelling in front, and yields a serous milky fluid; the enlarge- 
ment and swelling of the vulva, which discharges an abundant stringy 
mucus ; the drooping of the belly, and the falling in of the muscles at 
each side of the root of the tail, so as to leave deep hollows. When 
this last symptom is seen calving may be counted on in 24 hours 
or in 2 or 3 days. When the act is imminent, the cow becomes 
uneasy, moves restlessly, leaves off eating, in the field leaves the 
herd, lies down and rises again as if in pain, shifts upon her hind 
feet, moves the tail, and may bellow or moan. When labor pains 
come on the back is arched, the croup drooped, the belly is drawn 
up, and straining is more or less violent and continuous. Meanwhile 
blood may have appeared on the \ailva and tail, and soon the clear 
water bags protrude between the lips of the vulva. They increase 
rapidly, hanging down toward the hocks, and the fore or hind feet 
can be detected within them. With the rupture of the bags and 
escape of the waters the womb contracts on the solid angular body of 
the fetus and is at once stimulated to more violent contractions, so 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 1Y5 

that the work proceeds with redoubled energy to the complete expul- 
sion. This is the reason why it is wrong to nipture the water bags if 
the presentation is nomial, as they furnish a soft^ uniform pressure 
for the preliminary dilation of the mouth of the womb and passages, 
in anticipation of the severe strain put upon them as the solid body 
of the calf passes. 

The cow often calves stahding, in which case the navel string is 
broken as the calf falls to the ground. If, however, she is recumbent, 
this cord is torn through as she rises up. The afterpains come on 
3 or 4 hours later and expel the membranes, which should never be 
left longer than 24 hours. 

NATURAL PRESENTATION. 

When there is but one calf the natural presentation is that of the 
fore feet with the front of the hoofs and knees turned upward toward 
the tail of the dam and the nose lying between the knees. (PL XV.) 
If there are twins the natural position of the second is that of the 
hind feet, the heels and hocks turned upward toward the cow's tail. 
(PI. XVIII, fig. 1.) In both of these natural positions the curvature 
of the body of the calf — ^the back arched upward — is the same with the 
curvature of the passages, which descend anteriorly into the womb, 
ascend over the brim of the pelvis^ and descend again toward the 
external opening (vulva). Any presentation differing from the 
above is abnormal. 

OBSTACL.ES TO PARTURITION. 

With a well-formed cow and calf and a natural presentation as 
above, calving is usually prompt and easy. Obstacles may, however, 
come from failure of the mouth of the womb to dilate ; from twisting 
of the neck of the womb ; from tumors in the vagina ; from dropsy in 
the womb or abdomen ; from over distension of the rectum or bladder; 
from undue narrowing of the passages ; from excess of fat in the walls 
of the pelvis ; from the disturbance of a nervous cow by noises ; from 
stone or urine in the bladder; from wrong 2:)resentation of the calf, 
its back being turned downward or to one side in place of upward 
toward the spine of the dam; from the bending backward into the 
body of the womb of one or more limbs or of the head ; from presen- 
tation of the back, shoulder, or croup, all four limbs being turned 
back; from presentation of all four feet at once; from obstruction 
caused by an extra head or extra limbs, or double body on the part of 
the offspring (PI. XIX) ; from dropsy or other disease of the calf; 
from excessive or imperfect development of the calf ; from the impac- 
tion of twins at the same time into the passages; or it may be at 
times from the mere excessive volume of the fetus. 



176 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

GENERAL MAXIMS FOR THE ASSISTANT CONCERNING DIFFIOULT PAR- 
TURITION. 

Do not interfere too soon. " Meddlesome midwifery is bad " with 
animals as with women. After labor pains set in, give a reasonable 
time for the water bags to protrude and burst spontaneously, and 
only interfere when delay suggests some mechanical obstruction. If 
there is no mechanical obstruction, let the calf be expelled slowly 
by the unaided efforts of the cow. Bruises and lacerations of the 
passages and flooding from the uncontracted womb may come from 
the too speedy extraction of the calf. "Wlien assistance is necessary, 
the operator should dress in a thick flannel shirt from which the 
sleeves have been cut off clear up to the shoulders. This avoids 
danger of exposure and yet leaves the whole arm free and untram- 
meled. Before inserting the hand it and the arm should be smeared 
with oil, lard, or vaseline, care being taken that the oil or lard is 
fresh, neither salted nor rancid, and that it has been purified by 
boiling or rendered antiseptic by the addition of a teaspoonful of 
carbolic acid to the pound. 

This is a valuable precaution against infecting the cow by intro- 
ducing putrid ferments into the passages and against poisoning of 
the arm by decomposing discharges in case the calving is unduly 
protracted. When labor pains have lasted some time without any 
signs of the water bags, the dropping in at the sides of the rump, 
and the other preparations for calving being accomplished, the hand 
should be introduced to examine. ^\Tien the water bags have burst 
and neither feet nor head appear for some time, examination should 
be made. When one fore foot only and the head appears, or both 
fore feet without the head, or the head without the fore feet, exam- 
ine. If one hind foot appears without the other, make examination. 
The presenting limb or head should be secured by a rope with a run- 
ning noose, so that it may not pass back into the womb and get lost 
during the subsequent manipulations, but may be retained in the 
vagina or brought up again easily. In searching for a missing mem- 
ber, it is usually better to turn the head of the cow downhill, so that 
the gravitation of the fetus and abdominal organs forward into the 
belly of the cow may give more room in which to bring up the miss- 
ing limb or head. If the cow is lying down, turn her on the side 
opposite to that on which the limb is missing, so that there may be 
more room for bringing the latter up. Even if a missing limb is 
reached, it is vain to attempt to bring it up during a labor pain. 
Wait until the pain has ceased and attempt to straighten out the 
limb before the next pain comes on. If the pains are violent and 
continuous, they may be checked by pinching the back or by putting 
a tight surcingle around the body in front of the udder. These fail- 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate: XII. 




.Mtitt&ii.a^e'i W'X^'-. 



js eiEN CO I 



Fetal Calf within its Membranes. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XIII. 





Mrf'tte^, a^ie'i Y^o^?! 



Pregnant Uterus with Cotyledons. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XIV 




,/W/Wti. </f/ 



Vessels of Umbilical Cord. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XV. 




DISEASES OF THE GENEEATIVE ORGANS. 177 

ing, 1 ounce or 1^ ounces of chloral hydrate in a quart of water may 
be given to check the pains. If the passages have dried up or lost 
their natural lubricating liquid, smear the interior of the passages 
and womb and the surface of the calf, so far as it can be reached, 
with pure fresh lard ; or pure sweet oil may be run into the womb 
through a rubber tube (fountain syringe). In dragging upon the 
fetus apply strong traction only while the mother is straining and 
drag downward toward the hocks as well as backward. The natural 
curvature of both fetus and passages is thus followed and the extrac- 
tion rendered easier. 

LABOR PAINS BEFORE RELAXATION OF THE PASSAGES. 

Any of the various causes of abortion many bring on labor pains 
before the time. Straining comes on days or weeks before the time, 
and there is not the usual enlargement, swelling, and mucous dis- 
charge from the vulva. There is little or no falling in by the sides 
of the root of the tail; the abdomen has not dropped to the usual 
extent, and the udder is less developed and yields little or no milk. 
In spite of the pains no water bags appear, and the oiled hand cau- 
tiously introduced into the vagina finds the neck of the womb firmly 
closed, rigid, and undilatable. If it is known that the cow has not 
reached her proper time of calving, the examination through the 
vagina should be omitted and the animal should be placed in a dark, 
quiet place by herself, and be given 1 to 2 ounces laudanum. Vibur- 
num prunifolium^ 1 ounce, may be added, if necessary, and repeated 
in three hours. The pains will usually subside. 

In some instances the external parts are relaxed and duly prepared, 
but the neck of the womb remains rigidly closed. In such a case the 
solid extract of belladonna should be smeared around the constricted 
opening and the animal left quiet until it relaxes. 

DISEASED INDURATION OF THE MOUTH OF THE WOMB. 

From previous lacerations or other injuries the neck of the womb 
may have become the seat of fibrous hardening and constriction, so as 
to prevent its dilatation when all other parts are fully prepared for 
calving. The enlarged, flabby vulva, the sinking at each side of the 
rump, the full udder, and drooping abdomen indicate the proper time 
for calving, but the labor pains secure no progress in the dilatation of 
the mouth of the womb, and the oiled hand introduced detects the 
rigid, hard, and, in some cases, nodular feeling of the margins of the 
closed orifice, which no application of belladonna or other antispas- 
modic suffices to relax. Sponge tents may be inserted or the mechan- 
ical dilator (PI. XX, fig. 6) may be used if there is opening enough to 
16923°— 12 12 



178 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

admit it, and if not, a narrow-bladed probe-pointed knife (PL XXIV, 
fig. 2) may be passed through the orifice and turned upward, down- 
Avard, and to each side, cutting to a depth not exceeding a quarter of 
an inch in each case. This done, a finger may be inserted, then two, 
three, and four, and finally all four fingers and thumb brought 
together in the form of a cone and made to push in with rotary motion 
until the whole hand can be introduced. After this the labor pains 
will induce further dilatation, and finally the presenting members of 
the calf will complete the i3rocess. 

TWISTING OF THE NECK OF THE WOMB. 

This is not very uncommon in the cow, the length of the body of 
the womb and the looseness of the broad ligaments that attach it to 
the walls of the pelvis favoring the twisting. It is as if one were to 
take a long sack rather loosely filled at the neck and turn over its 
closed end, so that its twisting should occur in the neck. The twist 
may be one-quarter round, so that the upper surface would come to 
look to one side, or it may be half round, so that what was the upper 
surface becomes the lower. The relation of the womb of the cow to 
the upper and right side of the paunch favors the twisting. The 
paunch occupies the whole left side of the abdomen and extends 
across its floor to the right side. Its upper surface thus forms an 
inclined plane, sloping from the left downward and to the right, and 
on this sloping surface lies the pregnant womb. 

It is easy to see how, in the constant movements of the paunch 
upon its contents and the frequent changes of position of the growing 
fetus within the womb, to say nothing of the contractions of the adja- 
cent bowels and the more or less active movements of the cow, the 
womb should roll downward to the right. And yet in many cases 
the twist is toward the left, showing that it is not the result of a 
simple rolling downward over the paunch, but rather of other dis- 
turbances. The condition may be suspected when labor pains have 
continued for some time without any sign of the water bags, and it is 
confirmed when the oiled hand, introduced through the vagina, finds 
the mouth of the womb soft and yielding, but furnished with internal 
folds running forward in a spiral manner. If the folds on the upper 
wall of the orifice run toward the right, the womb is twisted to the 
right; if, on the contrary, they turn toward the left, it indicates that 
the womb is turned over in that direction. The direction of the twist 
must be known before treatment can be undertaken. Then, if the 
twist is toward the right, the cow is laid upon her right side with her 
head downhill, the hand of the operator is introduced through the 
spirally constricted neck of the womb, and a limb or other portion of 
the body of the calf is seized and pressed firmly against the wall of 



DISEASES OF THE GENEEATIVE ORGANS. 179 

the womb. Meanwhile two or three assistants roll the cow from her 
right side over on her back to her left side. The object is to hold the 
womb and calf still while the body of the cow rolls over. If success- 
ful, the twist is undone, its grasp on the wrist is slackened, and the 
water bags and calf press into the now open passage. If the first 
attempt does not succeed, it is to be repeated until success has been 
attained. If the spiral folds on the upper wall of the opening turn 
toward the left, the cow is laid on her left side and rolled over on 
her back and onto the right side, the hand being, as before, within the 
womb and holding the fetus, so that all may not rotate with the cow. 
In introducing the hand it will usually be found needful to perforate 
the membranes, so that a limb of the calf may be seized direct and 
firmly held. Among my occasional causes of failure with these cases 
have been, first, the previous death and decomposition of the fetus, 
leading to such overdistention of the womb that it could not be made 
to rotate within the abdomen, and, second, the occurrence of inflam- 
mation and an exudate on the twisted neck of the womb, which hin- 
dered it from untwisting. 

In obstinate cases, in which the hand can be made to pass through 
the neck of the womb easily, additional help may be had from the uSe 
of the instrument shown in Plate XX, figure 5. Two cords, with run- 
ning nooses, are successively introduced and made fast on two limbs 
of the calf; the cords are then passed through the two rings on the 
end of the instrument, which is passed into the womb and the cords 
drawn tight and fixed round the handle. Then, using the handle as a 
lever, it is turned in the direction opposite to the twist. The hand 
should meanwhile be introduced into the womb and the snared limbs 
seized and pressed against its walls so as to secure the rotation of the 
uterus along with the body of the fetus. The relaxation of the con- 
striction and the effacement of the spiral folds will show when suc- 
cess has been gained, and the different members at one end of the body 
should then be brought up so as to secure a natural presentation. 

NARROW PELVIS FROM FRACTURE OR DISEASE. 

In a small cow the pelvis may be too narrow to pass a calf sired by 
a bull of a large breed, but this is exceptional, as the fetus usually 
accommodates itself to the size of the dam and makes its extra growth 
after birth. When the pelvic bones have been fractured repair takes 
place with the formation of a large permanent callus, which, project- 
ing internally, may be a serious obstacle to calving. Worse still, if 
the edge of the broken bone projects internally as a sharp spike or 
ridge, the vaginal walls are cut upon this during the passage of the 
calf, with serious or fatal result. In other cases, where the cow has 
suffered from fragility of bone {fragilitas ossimn) the thickening of 



180 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the bone causes narrowing of the long passage of the pelvis and the 
crumbling fractures poorly repaired, with an excess of brittle new 
material, may form an insuperable obstacle to parturition. Cows 
affected in any of these ways should never again be bred, but if Ihey 
do get pregnant and reach full time a careful examination will be 
necessary to determine whether natural parturition can take place 
or if the calf must be extracted in pieces. (See " Embryotomy," p. 
204.) 

OBSTRUCTION BY MASSES OF FAT. 

This is not unknown in old cows of the beef breeds, the enormous 
masses of fat upon and within the pelvis being associated with weak- 
ness or fatty degeneration of the muscles. If the presentation is 
natural, little more is w^anted than a judicious traction upon the fetus 
to compress and overcome the soft resisting masses. 

OBSTRUCTION BY A FULL BLADDER OR RECTUM OR BY STONE. 

In all cases of delayed or tardy parturition the evacuation of rectum 
and bladder is important, and it is no less so in all difficult parturi- 
tions. Stone in the bladder is fortunately rare in the cow, but when 
present it should be removed to obviate crushing and perhaps per- 
foration of the organ during calving. 

CALVING RETARDED BY NERVOUSNESS. 

In a public fair gi'ound I have seen labor pains begin early in the 
day and keep up in a weak and insufficient manner for many hours, 
until the stall was thoroughly closed in and the cow secluded from 
the constant stream of visitors and the incessant noise, when at once 
the pains became strong and effective and the calf was soon borUi 

COAGULATED BLOOD UNDER THE VAGINAL W^ALLS. 

This is common after calving, but will sometimes occur before, as 
the result of accidental injury. The mass may be recognized by its 
dark hue and the doughy sensation to the touch. It may be cut into 
and the mass turned out with the fingers, after which it should be 
washed frequently with an antiseptic lotion (carbolic acid 1 dram in 
1 quart of Avater) . 

CONSTRICTION OF A MEMBER BY THE NAVEL STRING. 

In early fetal life the winding of the navel string around a limb may 
cause the latter to be slowly cut off by absorption under the constrict- 
ing cord. So at calving the cord wound round a presenting member 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 181 

may retard progress somewhat, and though the calf may still be born 
tardily by the unaided efforts of the mother, it is liable to come still- 
born, because the circulation in the cord is interrupted by compres- 
sion before the offspring can reach the open air and commence to 
breathe. If, therefore, it is possible to anticipate and prevent this 
displacement and compression of the navel string it should be done, 
but if this is no longer possible, then the extraction of the calf should 
be effected as rapidly as possible, and if breathing is not at once 
attempted it should be started by artificial means. 

WATER IN THE HEAD (HYDROCEPHALUS) OF THE CALF. 

This is an enormous distention of the cavity holding the brain, by 
reason of the accumulation of liquid in the internal cavities (ventri- 
cles) of the brain substance. The head back of the eyes rises into a 
great rounded ball (PL XIX, figs. 4 and 5), which proves an insuper- 
able obstacle to parturition. The fore feet and nose being the parts 
presented, no progress can be made, and even if the feet are pulled 
upon the nose can not by any means be made to appear. The oiled 
hand introduced into the passages will feel the nose presenting be- 
tween the fore limbs, and on passing the hand back over the face the 
hard rounded mass of the cranium is met with. A sharp-pointed 
knife or a cannula and trocar should be introduced in the palm of the 
liand and pushed into the center of the rounded mass so as to evacu- 
ate the water. The hand is now used to press together the hitherto 
distended but thin and fragile walls, and the calf may be delivered 
in the natural way. If the enlarged head is turned backward it must 
still be reached and punctured, after which it must be brought up 
into position and the calf delivered. 

If the hind feet present first, all may go well until the body and 
shoulders have passed out, when further progress is suddenly ar- 
rested by the great bulk of the head. If possible, the hand, armed 
with a knife or trocar, must be passed along the side of the shoulder 
or neck so as to reach and puncture the distended head. Failing in 
this, the body may be skinned up from the belly and cut in two at the 
shoulder or neck, after which the head can easily be reached and 
punctured. If in such a case the fore limbs have been left in the 
womb, these may now be brought up into the passage, and when 
dragged upon the collapsed head will follow. 

If the distention is not sufficient to have rendered the bony walls of 
the cranium thin and fragile, so that they can be compressed with the 
hand after puncture, a special method may be necessary. A long 
incision should be made from behind forward in the median line of 
the cranium with an embryotomy knife (PI. XXI, fig. 1) or with a 
long embryotome (PL XX, fig. 3). By this means the bones on the 



182 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

one side are completely separated from those on the other and may 
be made to overlap and perhaps to flatten down. If this fails they 
may be cut from the head all around the base of the rounded cranial 
swelling by means of a guarded chisel (PL XX, fig. 8) and mallet, 
after which there will be no difficulty in causing them to collapse. 

DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN OF THE CALF. ( ASCITES). 

This is less frequent than hydrocephalus, but no less difficult to 
deal with. With an anterior presentation the fore limbs and head 
may come away easily enough, but no effort will advance the calf 
beyond the shoulders. The first thought should be dropsy of the 
belly, and the oiled hand introduced by the side of the chest will 
detect the soft and fluctuating yet tense sac of the abdomen. If there 
is space to allow of the introduction of an embryotomy knife, the 
abdomen may be freely cut with this, when the fluid will escape into 
the womb and parturition may proceed naturally. If this can not 
be effected, a long trocar and cannula may be passed between the first 
tATo ribs and straight on beneath the spine until it punctures the 
abdomen. (PI. XVIII, fig. 2.) Then the trocar is to be withdrawn 
and the liquid will flow through the cannula and wiU be hastened by 
traction on the fore limbs. In the absence of the trocar and cannula, 
two or three of the first ribs may be cut from the breastbone, so that 
the hand may be introduced through the chest to puncture the dia- 
phragm with an embryotomy knife and allow an escape of the water. 
In some slighter cases a tardy delivery may take place without punc- 
ture, the liquid bulging forward into the chest as the abdomen is 
compressed in the pelvic passages. With a posterior presentation the 
abdomen may be punctured more easily either in the ■flank or with 
a trocar and cannula through the anus. 

GENERAL DROPSY OF THE CALF. 

This occurs from watery blood or disease of some internal organ, 
like the liver or kidney, and is recognized by the general puffed up 
and rounded condition of the body, which pits everywhere on pres- 
sure but without crackling. If not too extreme a case, the calf may 
be extracted after it has been very generally punctured over the 
body, but usually the only resort is to extract it in pieces. (See 
" Embryotomy," p. 204.) 

SWELLING OF THE CALF WITH GAS. 

This is usually the result of the death and decomposition of the 
fetus when extraction has been delayed for a day or more after the 
escape of the waters. It is impossible to extract it whole, owing to 
its large size and the dry state of the skin of the calf, the membranes, 



DISEASES OF THE GENEEATIVE ORGANS. 183 

and the wall of the womb. These dry surfaces stick with such tenac- 
ity that no attempt at traction leads to any advance of the calf out of 
the womb or into the passages. Wlien the fetus is advanced the 
adherent womb advances with it, and when the strain is relaxed both 
recede to where the}^ were at first. The condition may be helped 
somewhat by the free injection of oil into the womb, but it remains 
impossible to extract the^ enormously bloated body, and the only 
resort is to cut it in pieces and extract it by degrees. (See " Embryo- 
tomy," p. 204.) 

RlOro CONTRACTIONS OF MUSCLES. 

In the development of the calf, as in after life, the muscles are 
subject to cramps, and in certain cases given groups of muscles re- 
main unnaturally short, so that even the bones grow in a twisted and 
distorted way. In one case the head and neck are drawn round to 
one side and can not be straightened out, even the bones of the face 
and the nose being curved around to that side. In other cases the 
flexor muscles of the fore legs are so shortened that the knees are 
kept constantly bent and can not be extended by force. The bent 
neck may sometimes be sufficiently straightened for extraction by 
cutting across the muscles on the side to which it is turned, and the 
bent knees by cutting the cords on the back of the shank bones just 
below the knees. If this fails, there remains the resort of cutting 
off the distorted limbs or head. (See " Embryotomy," p. 204.) 

TUMORS OF THE CALF ( INCLOSED OVUm). 

Tumors or new growths grow on the unborn calf as on the mature 
animal, and by increasing the diameter of the body render its prog- 
ress through the passage of the pelvis impossible. In my experience 
with large fleshy tumors of the abdomen, I have cut open the chest, 
removed the lungs and heart, cut through the diaphragm with the 
knife, and removed the tumor piecemeal by alternate tearing and 
cutting until the volume of the body was sufficiently reduced to pass 
through. Wliere this failed it would remain to cut off the anterior 
part of the body, removing as much of the chest as possible, and cut- 
ting freely through the diaphragm ; then, pushing back the remainder 
of the body, the hind limbs may be seized and brought into the pas- 
sages and the residue thus extracted. The tumor, unless very large, 
will get displaced backward so as not to prove an insuperable obstacle. 

In many cases the apparent tumor is a blighted ovum which has 
failed to develop, but has grafted itself on its more fortunate twin 
and from it has drawn its nourishment. These are usually sacs con- 
taining hair, skin, muscle, bone, or other natural tissues, and only 
exceptionally do they show the distinct outline of the animal. 



184 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

MONSTROSITY IN THE CALF. 

As a monstrous development in the calf may hinder calving, it is 
well to consider shortly the different directions in which these devi- 
ations from the natural form appear. Their origin and significance 
will be rendered clearer if we divide them according to the fault of 
development in individual cases. Monsters are such — 

(1) From absence of parts — absence of head, limb, or other organ — • 
arrested development. 

(2) From some organ being unnaturally small, as a dwarfed head, 
limb, trunk, etc. — arrested development. 

(3) From unnatural division of parts — cleft lips, palate, head, 
trunk, limbs, etc. — abnormal growth. 

(4) From the absence of natural divisions — absence of mouth, nose, 
eye, anus; the cloven foot of ox or pig becomes solid, like that of the 
horse, etc, — confluence of parts which are rightfully separate. 

(5) From the fusion of parts — both eyes replaced by central one, 
both nostrils merged into one central opening, etc. — confluence of 
parts. 

(6) From unnatural position or form of parts — curved nose, neck, 
back, limbs, etc. — lack of balance in the growth of muscles during 
development. 

(7) From excessive growth of one or more organs — enormous size 
of head, double penis, superfluous digits, etc. — redundancy of growth 
at given points. 

(8) From imperfect differentiation of the sexual organs — her- 
maphordites (organs intermediate between male and female), male 
organs Avith certain feminine characters, female organs with certain 
well-marked male characters. 

(9) From the doubling of parts or of the entire body — double 
monsters, doubled heads, double bodies, extra limbs, etc. — redundant 
development. (PI. XIX, figs. 1, 2, 3.) 

Causes. — The causes of monstrosities are varied. Some, like extra 
digits, lack of horns, etc., run in families, which produce them with 
absolute certainty when bred in the direct line, although they were 
originally acquired peculiarities which have merely been fixed by 
long habit in successive generations. The earliest horse had five toes, 
and even the most recent fossil horse had three toes, of which the 
two lateral ones are still represented in the modern horse by the two 
splint bones. Yet if our horse develops an extra toe it is pronounced 
a monstrosity. A more genuine monstrosity is the solid-hoofed pig, 
in Avhich two toes have been merged into one. Another of the same 
kind is the solid shank bone of the ox, which consists of two bones 
united into one, but which are still found apart in the early fetus. 
Though originally acquired peculiarities, these now breed as in- 
variably as color or form. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 185 

Other monstrosities seein to have started in too close breeding, by 
which the powers of symmetrical development are impaired, just as 
the procreative power weakens under continuous breeding from the 
closest blood relations. A monstrosity consisting in the absence of 
an organ often depends on a simple lack of development, the result 
of disease or injury, as a young bone is permanently shortened by 
being broken across the soft part between the shaft and the end, the 
onl}' part Avhere increase in length can take place. As the result of 
the injury the soft growing layer becomes prematurely hard and 
all increase in length at that end of the bone ceases. This will ac- 
count for some cases of absence of eye, limb, or other organ. 

Sometimes a monstrosity is due to the inclosure of one ovum in 
another while the latter is still but a soft mass of cells and can easily 
close around the first. Here each ovum has an independent life, and 
they develop simultaneously, only the outer one having direct con- 
nection with the M'omb and being furnished with abundant nourish- 
ment advances most rapidly and perfectly, while the inclosed and 
starved ovum is dwarfed and imperfect often to the last degree. 

In many cases of excess of parts the extra part or member is mani- 
festly derived from the same ovum, and even the same part of the 
ovuin, being merely the effect of a redundancy and vagary of growth. 
Such cases include most instances of extra digits or other organs, and 
even of double monsters, as manifested by the fact that such extra 
organs grow from the normal identical organs. Hence the extra 
digit is attached to the normal digit, the extra head to the one neck, 
the extra tail to the croup, extra teeth to the existing teeth, and 
even two similarly formed bodies are attached by some point com- 
mon to both, as the navels, breastbones, back, etc. (PI. XIX, figs. 
1, 2, 3.) This shows that both have been derived from the same 
primitive layer of the embrj^o, which possessed the plastic power of 
building up a given structure or set of organs. An inclosed ovum, 
on the other hand, has no such identity or similarit}'^ of structure to 
the part with which it is connected, showing an evident primary 
independence of both life and the power of building tissues and 
organs. The power of determining extra growth along a given 
natural line is very highly developed in the early embryo and is 
equally manifest in the mature examples of some of the lower forms 
of animal life. Thus a newt will grow a new tail when that member 
has been cut off, and a starfish will develop as many new starfishes 
as the pieces made by cutting up the original one. This power of 
growth in the embryo and in the lower forms of animals is compa- 
rable to the branching out again of a tree at the places from which 
branches have been lopped. The presence of this vegetable-like 
power of growth in the embryo accounts for most double monsters. 



186 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The influence of disease in modifying growth in the early embryo, 
increasing, decreasing, distorting, etc., is well illustrated in the 
experiments of St. Hilaire and Valentine in varnishing, shaking, or 
otherwise disturbing the connections of eggs and thereby producing 
monstrosities. One can easily understand how inflammations and 
other causes of disturbed circulation in the womb, fetal membranes, 
or fetus would cause similar distortions and variations in the growing 
offspring. It is doubtless largely in the same way that certain men- 
tal disturbances of a very susceptible dam affect the appearance of 
the progenj^ The monstrosities which seriously interfere with 
calving are mainly such as consist in extra members or head, which 
can not be admitted into the passages at the same time, where some 
organ of the body has attained to extra size, where a blighted ovum 
has been inclosed in the body of a more perfect one, or where the 
body or limbs are so contracted or twisted that the calf must enter 
the passages doubled up. 

Treatment. — Extraction is sometimes possible by straightening the 
distorted members by the force of traction ; in other cases the muscles 
or tendons must be cut across on the side to which the body or limbs 
are bent to allow of such straightening. Thus, the muscles on the con- 
cave side of a wry neck or the cords behind the shank bones of a con- 
tracted limb may be cut to allow of these parts being brought into the 
passages, and there will still be wanting the methods demanded for 
bringing up missing limbs or head, for which see paragraphs below. 
In most cases of monstrosity by excess of overgrowth it becomes nec- 
essary to cut off the supernumerary or overdeveloped parts, and in 
this the same general principles must be followed as laid down in 
"Embryotomy" (p. 204). 

TABLE OF WRONG PRESENTATIONS OF THE CALF. 

Simultaneous presentation of twins. 



Fore limbs. 



Limba curved at the knee. Flexor tendons shortened. 

Limb crossed over the back of the neck. 

Limb bent back at the knee. 

Limb bent back from the shoulder. 

Head bent downward on the neck. 

Head and neck turned downward beneath the breast. 

Head turned to one side upon the side of the neck, 

"^^^^ I Head and neck turned back on the side of the chest and 

abdomen. 
Head turned upward and backward on the back. 

I Hind limbs rotated outward. Toes and stifles turned out- 
ward. 
Hind limbs bent forward, their feet resting in the pelvis. 

Transverse Back of the calf turned to the right or left side. 

Inverted . - Back of the calf turned to the floor of the pelvis and udder. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 



187 



Its 






Hind limbs . 

Transverse . 
Inverted ... 



Back and loins 
presented. 



Breast and abdo- 



Hind limb bent on itself at the hock. Hock and buttocks 

present. 
Hind limb bent at the hips. Buttocks present. 
Back of calf turned to the right or left side. 
Back of calf turned to the floor of the pelvis and udder. 

Head up toward the spine, 



Position of calf vertical. 



Position of calf transverse. 



[•Position of calf transverse ■ 

men presented. ) 



croup toward udder. 
Head down toward udder, 

croup toward spine. 
'Head toward the right side, 

croup toward the left. 
Head toward the left side, 

croup toward the right. 
Head toward right side, 

croup toward left. 
Head toward left side, croup 

toward right. 



These include all general presentations, yet other subsidiary ones 
will at once occur to the attentive reader. Thus, in each anterior or 
posterior presentation, with the back of the calf turned downward or 
to one side, the case may be complicated by the bending back of one 
or more members as a whole or at the joint just above the shank 
bones (knee or hock). So also in such anterior presentation the head 
mav be turned back. 



HEAD AND FORE FEET PRESENTED BACK TURNED TO ONE SIDE. 

The calf has a greater diameter from above down (spine to breast- 
bone) than it has from side to side, and the same is true of the passage 
of the pelvis of the cow, which measures, on an average, SyV inches 
from above downward and 7i^^ inches from side to side. Hence the 
calf passes most easily with its back upward, and when turned with 
its back to one side calving is always tardy and may be difficult or 
impossible. The obvious remedy is to rotate the calf on its own axis 
until its spine turns toward the spine of the cow. The operation is 
not difficult if the body of the calf is not yet fixed in the passages. 
The presenting feet are twisted over each other in the direction 
desired, and this is continued until the head and spine have assumed 
I heir proper place. If the body is firmly engaged in the passages the 
skin of the whole engaged portion should be freely lubricated with 
lard, and the limbs and head twisted over each other as above. The 
limbs may be twisted by an assistant where the head is manipulated 
by the operator, who drags on the rope turned halfway round the 
limbs and assists in the rotation with his other hand in the passages. 

HEAD AND FORE FEET PRESENTED BACK TURNED DOWN TOWARD THE 

UDDER. 

This position (PI. XVI, fig. 6) is unnatural, and the parturition is 
difficult for two reasons : First, the natural curvature of the fetus is 



188 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

opposed to the natural curvature of the passages; and, second, the 
thickest part of the body of the calf (the upper) is engaged in the 
narrowest part of the passage of the pelvis (the lower). Yet unless 
the calf is especially large and the pelvis of the cow narrow, parturi- 
tion may usually be accomplished in this way spontaneously or with 
very little assistance in the way of traction on the limbs. If this can 
not be accomplished, two courses are open : First, to rotate the calf as 
when the back is turned to one side; and, second, to push back the 
presenting fore limbs and head and search for and bring up the hind 
limbs, when the presentation wall be a natural posterior one. 

PRESENIATION OF THE HIND FEET WITH THE BACK TURNED TO ONE SIDE 

OR DOWNWARD. 

These are the exact counterparts of the two conditions last de- 
scribed, are beset with similar drawbacks, and are to be dealt with on 
the same general principles. (PI. XVII, fig. 4.) With the back 
turned to one side the body should be rotated until the back turns 
toward the spine of the dam, and with the back turned doAvn it must 
be extracted in that position (care being taken that the feet do not 
perforate the roof of the vagina) or it must be rotated on its own 
axis until the back turns upward, or the hind limbs must be pushed 
back and the fore limbs and head advanced, when the presentation 
will be a natural anterior one. 

IMPACTION or TWINS IN THE PASSAGE. 

It is very rare to have twins enter the passages together so as to 
become firmly impacted. As a rule, each of the twins has its own 
separate membranes, and as the water bags of the one will naturally 
first enter and be the first to burst, so the calf which occupied those 
membranes will be the first to enter the passage and the other will be 
thereby excluded. When the membranes of both twins have burst 
without either calf having become engaged in the pelvis, it becomes 
possible for the fore legs of the one and the hind legs of the other to 
enter at one time, and if the straining is very violent they may become 
firmly impacted. (PI. XVIII, fig. 1.) The condition may be recog- 
nized by the fact that two of the presenting feet have their fronts 
turned forward, while the two others have their fronts turned back- 
ward. If the four feet belonged to one natural calf, they would all 
have the same direction. By means of this difference in direction we 
can easily select the two feet of one calf, place running nooses upon 
them just above the hoofs or fetlocks, and haA^e an assistant drag 
upon the ropes while the feet of the other calf are pushed back. In 
selecting one of the twins to come first several considerations should 
have weight. The one that is most advanced in the passage is, of 



DISEASES OF THE GENEEATIVE OEGANS. 189 

course, the first choice. Tliougli the fore feet of one are presented, 
yet if the head is not in jDlace the calf presenting by its hind feet is to 
be chosen as being less likely to obstruct. Again, if for either calf 
one limb only is presented and the other missing, the one presenting 
two feet should be selected to come first. As soon as the one calf 
has been advanced so as to occupy the pelvis the other Tvill be 
crowded back so that it will not seriously obstruct. 

FORE Li:HBS CI RVED AT THE KNEE LIMBS SPRAAVLING OUTWARD. 

In this case not onl}^ are the knees somewhat bent in a curve, but 
the calf has a position as if it rested on its breastbone, while the legs 
were drawn apart and directed to the right and left. The shoulder 
blades being drawn outward from the chest and the elbows turned 
out, the muscles extending from the trunk to the limb are unduly 
stretched and keep the knees bent and the feet directed outward so 
as to press on the sides of the passages. They become retarded in 
their progress as compared with the more rapidly advancing head, 
and may bruise or even lacerate the walls of the vagina. It would 
seem easy to rectify this by extending the legs, but the already tense 
and overstretched muscles operate against extension in the present 
position, and it is not easy to rotate the limbs so as to apply the shoul- 
der fiat against the side of the chest. Under these circumstances a 
repeller (PI. XX, fig. 7) may be planted in the breast, and the body 
of the calf pushed backward into the womb, when the limbs will 
extend easily under traction and the presentation becomes at once 
natural. 

FORE LIMBS CURVED AT KNEE FLEXOR TENDONS SHORTENED- 

In this case the feet will press against the floor of the pelvis though 
the limb has no outward direction, and the shoulder meanwhile 
presses against the roof of the same passage. Unless the knees can 
be sufficiently straightened by force a knife must be employed to cut 
across the cords behind the knee, when the limbs may be straightened 
sufficiently^ 

FORE LIMBS FLEXED AT KNEE FLEXOR TENDONS UNSHORTENED. 

This is mostly seen in cases in which the body of the calf is in the 
proper position, its back being turned up toAvard the back of the dam, 
and in cows with a drooping abdomen. The feet have been supposed 
to catch beneath the brim of the pelvis, and being retarded while the 
head advances into the passages, they get bent at the knee and the 
nose and knees present. (PI. XVI, fig. 2.) The calf, however, is not 
an inanimate body advanced by the mere contraction of the womb, 
but it moves its limbs freely under the stimulus of the unwonted com- 



190 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

pression, and in moving the feet as they are advanced they slip down 
over the pelvic brim and finding no other firm support they bend back 
until, under the impulsion, they can no longer straighten out again. 
The knees, therefore, advance with the neck and head, but the feet 
remain bent back. The result is that the upper part of the limb is 
also flexed, and the shoulder blade and arm bone with their masses of 
investing muscles are carried backward and applied on the side of the 
chest, greatly increasing the bulk of this already bulky part. As the 
elbow is carried back on the side of the chest, the forearm from elbow 
to knee further increases the superadded masses of the shoulder and 
renders it difficult or impossible to drag the mass through the pas- 
sages. When the fore limbs are fully extended, on the contrary, the 
shoulder blade is extended forward on the smallest and narrowest part 
of the chest, the arm bone with its muscles is in great part applied 
against the side of the back part of the neck, and the forearm is con- 
tinued forward by the side of the head so that the nose lies between 
the knees. In this natural presentation the presenting body of the 
calf forms a long wedge or cone, the increase of which is slow and 
gradual until it reaches the middle of the chest. 

The difficulty of extending the fore limbs will be in proportion to 
the advance of the head through the pelvic cavity. In the early stage 
all that is necessary may be to introduce the oiled hand, the left one 
for the right leg or the right one for the left, and passing the hand 
from the knee on to the foot to seize the foot in the palm, bend it 
•forcibly on the fetlock, and lift it up over the brim of the pelvis, the 
knee being, of course, pressed upward against the spine. As soon as 
the foot has been raised above the brim of the pelvis (into the pas- 
sage) the limb can be straightened out with the greatest ease. 

"\^lien, however, the shoulders are already engaging in the pelvis 
the feet can not thus be lifted up, and to gain room a repeller (PI. 
XX, fig. 7) must be used to push back the body of the calf. This is 
an instrument with a long straight stem, divided at the end into two 
short branches (2 to 3 inches long) united to the stem by hinges so 
that they can be brought into a line with the stem for introduction 
into the womb and then spread to be implanted in the breast. In the 
absence of a repeller a smooth, round fork handle may be used, the 
prongs having been removed from the other end. A third device is 
to have an assistant strip his arm to the shoulder and, standing back 
to back with the operator, to introduce his right arm into the passages 
along with the operator's left (or vice versa) and push back the body 
of the calf while the operator seeks to bring up a limb. The repeller 
or staff having been planted safely in the breast of the calf, an assist- 
ant pushes upon it in a direction either forward or slightly upward, 
so as not only to follow the natural curve of the body and favor its 
turning in the line of that curve within the womb, but also to carry 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 191 

the shoulders upward toward the spine and secure more room for 
bringing up the missing feet. It is good policy to first put a halter 
(PL XXr, figs. 4a and 46) on the head or a noose (PI. XXI, fig. 3) 
on the lower jaw and a rope round each limb at the knee, so as to 
provide against the loss of any of these parts when the body is pushed 
back into the womb. This offers the further advantage that by drag- 
ging upon these ropes the body can be advanced in the passage until 
the foot is reached, when the rope must be slackened and the repeller 
used to secure room for bringing up the foot. If the cow is lying, 
the operator should first secure the foot on the upper side and then, if 
necessary, turn the cow on its opposite side so as to bring up the other. 

In using the instruments some precautions are demanded. They 
must be invariably warmed before they are introduced, and they 
should be smeared with lard or oil to make them pass easily and with- 
out friction. The assistant who is pushing on the instrument must 
be warned to stop if at any time resistance gives way. This may 
mean the turning of the fetus, in which case the object of repulsion 
has been accomplished; but much more probably it implies the dis- 
placement of the instrument from the body of the fetus, and un- 
guarded pressure may drive it through the walls of the womb. 

When the calf enters the passage with its back turned down toward 
the belly and udder, the bending back of the fore limbs is rare, prob- 
ably because the feet can find a straighter and more uniform surface 
of resistance in the upper wall of the womb and the backbone, and 
do not slide over a crest into an open cavity as they do over the brim 
of the pelvis. The weight of the calf, too, gravitating downward, 
leaves more room for the straightening of the bent limbs, so that the 
desired relief is much more easily secured. The manipulation is the 
same in principle, only one must add the precaution of a steady trac- 
tion on the feet in extraction, lest, owing to the adverse curvature of 
the fetus, the hoofs be suddenly forced through the roof of the va- 
gina, and, perhaps, the rectum as well, during a specially powerful 
labor pain. 

When the back of the calf is turned to the right side or the left the 
main difference is that in addition to straightening the limbs the fetus 
must be rotated to turn its back upward before extraction is attempted. 
In this case, too, it may be difficult to bring up and straighten the 
lower of the two limbs until the body has been rotated into its proper 
position. Cord the upper straightened limb and head, then rotate the 
body and search for the second missing limb. 

TORE LIMBS BENT BACK FROM THE SHOULDERS. 

This is an exaggeration of the condition just named, and is much 
more difficult to remedy, owing to the distance and inaccessibility of 



192 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the missing limb. It usually Happens with the proper position of the 
body, the back of the calf being turned toward the back of the mother. 
The head presents in the passage and may even protrude from the 
vulva during an active labor pain, but it starts back like a spring 
when the straining ceases. Examination with the oiled hand in the 
intervals between the pains fails to detect the missing limbs. (PL 
XVI, fig. 1.) If, however, the hand can be introduced during a pain 
it may be possible to reach the elbow or upper part of the forearm. 
In the absence of a pain a halter or noose on the head may be used to 
advance the whole body until the forearm can be seized just below 
I he elbow. This being firmly held and the head or body pushed back 
into the womb, room may be secured for bringing up the knee. The 
forearm is used as a lever, its upper part being strongly forced back 
while its lower part is pressed forward. If a pain supervenes the 
hold must be retained, and whatever gain has been made must be 
held if possible. Then during the next pain, by pushing back the 
l)ody and continuing to operate the forearm as a lever, a still further 
advance may be made. As the laiee is brought up in this way, the 
hand is slid down from the elbow toward the knee, which is finally 
brought up over the brim of the pelvis and into the passage. It is 
now corded at the knee, and the subsequent procedure is as described 
in the last article. In a large, roomy cow with a small calf the latter 
may pass with one or both foreleg's bent back, but this is a very 
exceptional case, and, as early assistance is the most successful, there 
should never be delay in hope of such a result. 

ONE TORE LIMB CROSSED OVER THE BACK OF THE NECK. 

This is a rare obstacle to calving, but one that is not altogether 
unknown. The hand introduced into the passage feels the head and 
cue forefoot, and further back on the same side the other foot, from 
which the limb can be traced obliquely across the back of the neck. 
(PL XVI, fig. 3.) This foot, projecting transversely, is liable to 
bruise or tear the vagina. If still deeply engaged in the vagina, it 
may be seized and pushed across to the opposite side of the neck, 
when the presentation will be natural. 

HEAD BENT DOWN BENEATH THE NECK. 

In this case, with drooping belly and womb allowing the brim of 
the pelvis to form a ridge, the advancing calf, having unduly de- 
pressed its nose, strikes it on the brim of the pelvis, and the neck 
advancing, the head is bent back and the poll and ears either enter 
the pelvis or striko against its brim. The two forefeet present, but 
they make no progress, and the oiled hand introduced can detect no 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate; XVI. 




Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XV ii 




Diseases -OF Cattle. 



Plate xviil. 




X"^"^ "O 





Abnormal Position of Calf in Utero. 
Surgical Instruments and Sutures. 



Diseases of Cattle . 



Plate XIX. 






I 



DISEASES OF TPIE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 193 

head until the poll is felt at the entrance of the pelvis, between the 
forearms. The two forefeet must be fixed with running nooses and 
dragged on moderately while the oiled hand seeks to bring up the 
head. The hand is slid down over the forehead and brim of the pelvis 
until the nose is reached, when it is passed into the mouth, the muzzle 
resting in the palm of the hand. The legs are now pushed upon, and 
in the space thus gained the muzzle is drawn up so as to enter it into 
the pelvis. In doing this the operator must carefidly see that the 
mouth does not drop open so that the sharp front teeth cut through 
the floor of the womb. Should this danger threaten, the hand should 
be made to cover the lower jaw as well. The lessened security of the 
hold is more than compensated by the safety of the procedure. With 
the nose in the pelvis, it has only to be drawn forward and the par- 
turition is natural. 

HEAD BENT DOWN BENEATH THE BREAST. 

This is an exaggerated condition of that last named. The head, 
arrested by the brim of the pelvis and already bent back on the neck, 
is pressed farther with each successive throe until it has passed 
between the forelegs and lodges beneath the breast bone. (PI. XVI, 
fig. 4.) On examination, the narrow upper border of the neck is felt 
between the forearms, but as a rule the head is out of reach below. 
Keeping the hand on the neck and dragging on the feet by the aid of 
ropes, the hand may come to touch and seize the ear, or, still better, 
one or two fingers may be inserted into the orbit of the eye. 

Then, in pushing back upon the limbs, with or without the aid of a 
repeller applied against the shoulder, space may be secured to draw 
the head into a vertical position, and even to slip down the hand so 
as to seize the nose. Should it prove impossible to draw up the head 
with the unassisted fingers, a blunt hook (PI. XXI, fig, 6) may be 
inserted into the orbit, on which an assistant may drag while another 
pushes upon the limbs or repeller. Meanwhile the operator may 
secure an opportunity of reaching and seizing the nose or of passing 
a blunt hook into the angle of the mouth. Success will be better 
assured if two hooks (PI. XXI, fig. 7) are inserted in the two orbits, 
so as to draw up the head more evenly. In other cases a noose may 
be placed on the upper jaw, or even around both jaws, and traction 
made upon this and on the hooks in the orbits while the legs are 
pushed back, and while the operator pushes back on the poll or fore- 
head. In still more difficult cases, in which even the orbits can not 
be reached, a sharp hook on the end of a straight iron rod (PI, XX, 
fig, 2) may be inserted over the lower jaw as far forward as it can be 
reached, and by dragging upon this while the body is pushed back 
16923°— 12 13 



194 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the head will be brought up sufficiently to allow the operator to reach 
the orbit or nose. If even the jaw can not be reached, the hook may 
be inserted in the neck as near to the head as possible and traction 
employed so as to bring the head within reach. 

In all such cases the cow's head should be turned downhill, and in 
case of special difficulty she should be turned on her back and held 
there until the head is secured. In old standing cases, with the womb 
closely clasping the body of the calf, relaxation may be sought by the 
use of clilorof orm or a full dose of chloral hydrate— 2 ounces ; and the 
free injection of warm water into the womb will also be useful. 

HEAD TURNED BACK ON THE SHOULDER. 

With a natural anterior presentation this may happen because of 
the imperfect dilation of the mouth of the womb. Under the throes 
of the mother the fore feet pass through the narrow opening into the 
vagina, while the nose, striking against it and unable to enter, is 
pressed backward into the womb and turns aside on the right or left 
shoulder. The broad muzzle of the calf forms an especial obstacle to 
entrance and favors this deviation of the head. The worst form of 
this deviation is the old standing one with shortening of the muscles 
of the neck on that side, and oftentimes distortion of the face and 
neck bones, as noticed under " Monstrosities " p. 184). 

When the head is bent on the shoulder the feet appear in the natural 
way, but no progress is made, and examination reveals the absence of 
the nose from between the knees, and farther back, from above and 
between the elbows, a smooth rounded mass is felt extending to the 
right or left, which further examination will identify with the neck. 
Following the upper border of this the hand reaches the crown of the 
head with the ears, and still farther the eyes, or even in a small calf 
the nose. 

As the bulky head of the calf can not be extracted along with the 
shoulders, it becomes necessary to push back the body of the fetus and 
straighten out the head and neck. The cow should be laid with its 
head downhill and with that side up toward which the head is turned. 
If the throes are very violent, or the womb strongly contracted on the 
calf, it may be best to seek relaxation by giving chloroform^ or 2 
ounces of laudanum, or 2 ounces of chloral hydrate. If the calf or 
the passages are dry, sweet oil may be injected, or the whole may be 
liberally smeared with fresh lard. In the absence of these, warm 
water rendered slightly slippery by Castile soap may be injected into 
the womb in quantity. Ropes with running nooses are placed on the 
presenting feet and the oiled hand introduced to find the head. If, 
now, the fingers can be passed inside the lower jawbone, and drag the 
head upward and toward the passage, it unwinds the spiral turn given 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 195 

to the neck in bending back, and greatly improves the chances of 
bringing forward the nose. If, at first^ or if now, the lower jaw can 
be reached, a noose should be placed around it behind the incisor 
teeth and traction made upon this, so that the head may continue to 
be turned, forehead up, toward the spine and jaws down, thereby 
continuing to undo the screw-like curve of the neck. If, on the con- 
trary, the nose is dragged' upon by a cord passing over the upper 
border of the neck, the screw-like twist is increased and the resistance 
of the bones and joints of the neck prevents any straightening of the 
head. As soon as the lower jaw has been seized by the hand or 
noose, a repeller (PI. XX, fig. 7)^ planted on the inside of the elbow 
or shoulder most distant from the head, should be used to push back 
the body and turn it in the womb, so that the head may be brought 
nearer to the outlet. In this way the head can usually be brought 
into position and the further course of delivery will be natural. 

But sometimes the lower jaw can not be reached with the hand, and 
then the orbit or, less desirably, the ear, may be availed of. The ear 
may be pulled by the hand, and by the aid of the repeller on the other 
shoulder the calf may be so turned that the lower jaw may be reached 
and availed of. Better still, a clamp (PI. XVIII, figs 3 and 4) is 
firmly fixed on the ear and pulled by a rope^ while the repeller is used 
on the opposite shoulder, and the hand of the operator pulls on the 
lower border of the neck and lifts it toward the other side. To pull 
on the upper border of the neck is to increase the spiral twist, while 
to raise the lower border is to undo it. If the outer orbit can be 
reached, the fingers may be inserted into it so as to employ traction, 
or a blunt finger hook (PI. XXI, fig. 8) may be used, or a hook with 
a rope attached, or, finally, a hook on the end of a long staff. Then, 
with the assistance of the repeller, the body may be so turned and the 
head advanced that the lower jaw may be reached and availed of. 

In case not even the ears nor orbit can be reached^ a cord should be 
passed around the neck of the calf as near to the head as possible, 
and traction made upon that while the opposite shoulder is pushed 
toward the opposite side by the repeller, assisted by the hand drag- 
ging on the lower border of the neck. To aid the hand in passing a 
rope round the neck a cord earner (PI. XXI, fig. 5) is in use. It 
fails, however, to help us in the most difficult part of the operation — 
the passing of the cord down on the deep or farthest side of the 
neck — and to remedy this I have devised a cord carrier, furnished 
with a ring at the end, a joint 6 or 8 inches from the end, and another 
ring on the handle, close to this joint. (PL XX, fig. 4.) A cord is 
passed through both rings and a knot tied on its end, just back of the 
terminal ring. The instrument^ straightened out, is inserted until it 
reaches just beyond the upper border of the neck, when, by dragging 
on the cord the movable segment is bent down on the farther side of 



196 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the neck, and is pushed on until it can be felt at its lower border. 
The hand now seizes the knotted end of the cord beneath the lower 
border of the neck and pulls it through wliile the carrier is with- 
drawn, the cord sliding through its rings. The cord, pushed up as 
near to the head as possible, is furnished with a running noose by 
tying the knotted end round the other, or, better, the two ends are 
twisted around each other so as to give a firm hold on the neck with- 
out dangerously compressing the blood vessels. By pushing on the 
opposite shoulder with the repeller, and assisting with the hand on 
shoulder, breastbone^ or lower border of the neck, such a change of 
position will be secured as will speedily bring the head within reach. 
Afterwards proceed as described above. 

These cases are always trying, but it is very rarely necessary to 
resort to embryotomy. When absolutely required, fii^t remove one 
fore limb, and then, if still unsuccessful, the other, after which the 
head can easily be secured. (See " Embryotomy," p. 204.) 

HEAD TURNED UPWARD AND BACKWARD. 

In this case the face rests upon the spine ; the forefeet appear alone 
in the passage, but fail to advance, and on examination the rounded 
inferior border of the neck can be felt, extending upward and back- 
ward beneath the spine of the dam, and if the calf is not too large 
the hand may reach the lower jaw or even the muzzle. (PI. XVI, 
fig. 5.) A repeller is planted in the breast and the body of the calf 
pushed backward and downward so as to make room and bring the 
head nearer to the passage; or in some cases the body may be pushed 
back sufficiently by the use of the forelimbs alone. Meanwhile the 
head is seized by the ear or the eye socket, or, if it can be reached, 
by the lower jaw, and pulled downward into position as space is 
secured for it. If the hand alone is insufficient, the blunt hooks may 
be inserted in the orbits or in the angle of the mouth, or a noose may 
be placed on the lower jaw, and by traction the head will be easily 
advanced. In case of a large fetus, the head of which is beyond 
reach, even when traction is made on the limbs, a rope may be passed 
around the neck and pulled, while the breastbone is pressed down- 
ward and backward by the repeller, and soon the change of position 
will bring the orbit or lower jaw within reach. With the above posi- 
tion the standing position is most favorable for success. But if the 
calf is placed with its back down toward the udder, and if the head 
is bent down under the brim of the pelvis, the best position for the 
cow is on her back, with her head downhill. 

In neglected cases, with death and putrefaction of the fetus and 
dryness of the passages, it may be necessary to extract in pieces. (See 
" Embryotomy," p. 204.) 



DISEASES OF THE GENEEATIVE ORGANS. 197 

OUTWARD DIRECTION OF THE STIFLES ABDUCTION OF HIND LIMBS. 

As an obstacle to parturition, this is rare in cows. It is most likely 
to take place in cows with narrow hip bones, and when the service 
has been made by a bull having great breadth across the quarter. 
The calf, taking after the sire, presents an obstacle to calving in the 
breadth of its quarters, and if at the same time the toes and stifles 
are turned excessively outward and the hocks inward the combined 
breadth of the hip bones above and the stifles below may be so great 
that the pelvis will not easily admit them. After the forefeet, head, 
and shoulders have all passed out through the vulva^, further progress 
suddenly and unaccountably ceases, and some dragging on the parts 
already delivered does not serve to bring away the hind parts. The 
oiled hand introduced along the side of the calf will discover the 
obstacle in the stifle joints turned directly outward and projecting 
on each side beyond the bones which circumscribe laterally the front 
entrance of the pelvis. The evident need is to turn the stifles inward, 
and this may be attempted by the hand introduced by the side of the 
calf, which is meanwhile rotated gently on its own axis to favor the 
change of position. To correct the deviation of the hind limb is, 
however, very difficult, as the limbs themselves are out of reach and 
can not be used as levers to assist. If nothing can be done by push- 
ing back the body of the calf and rotating it and by pressure by the 
hand in the passages, the only resort appears to be to skin the calf 
from the shoulder back, cut it in two as far back as can be reached, 
then push the buttocks well forward into the womb, bring up the 
hind feet, and so deliver. 

THE HIND LIMBS EXCESSIVELY BENT ON THE BODY AND ENGAGED IN THE 

PELVIS. 

In this case the presentation is apparently a normal anterior one ; 
forelimbs and head advance naturally and the parturition proceeds 
until half the chest has passed through the external passages, when 
suddenly progress ceases and no force will secure farther advance. 
An examination with oiled hand detects the presence in the passages 
of the hind feet and usually the hind legs up to above the hocks. 
(PI. XVII, fig. 1.) 

The indications for treatment are to return the hind limbs into the 
body of the womb. If they have not advanced too far into the pelvis, 
this may be done as follows: A rope with running noose is passed 
over each hind foot and drawn tight around the lower part of the 
hock; the ropes are then passed through the two rings in the small 
end of the rotating instrument (PI. XX, fig. 5) which is slid into the 
passages until it reaches the hocks, when the ropes, drawn tight, are 



198 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

tied around the handle of the instrument. Then in the intervals 
between the pains the hocks are pushed forcibly back into the womb. 
If by this means flexion can be effected in hocks and stifles, success 
will follow ; the hind feet will pass into the womb and clear of the 
brim of the pelvis, and the body may now be advanced without 
hindrance, the hind limbs falling into place when the hip joints are 
extended. At the same time the pressure upon hind limbs must not 
be relaxed until the buttocks are engaged in the pelvis, as otherwise 
the feet may again get over the brim and arrest the progress of 
delivery. 

Wlien the hind limbs are already so jammed into the pelvis that it 
is impossible to return them, the calf must be sacrificed to save the 
mother. Cords with running nooses are first put on the two hind 
feet. The body must be skinned from the shoulders back as far as 
can be reached, and is to be then cut in two, if possible, back of the 
last rib. The remainder of the trunk is now pushed back into the 
body of the womb, and by traction upon the cords the hind feet are 
brought up into the passages, and the extraction will be compara- 
tively easy. 

HIND PRESENTATION WITH ONE OR BOTH LEGS BENT AT THE HOCK. 

After the bursting of the water bags, though labor pains continue, 
no part of the fetus appears at the vulva unless it be the end of the 
tail. On examination the buttocks are felt wedged against the 
spine at the entrance of the pelvis, and beneath them the bent hock 
joints resting on the brim of the pelvis below. (PI. XVII, fig. 3.) 
The calf had been caught by the labor pains while the limb was bent 
beneath it, and has been jammed into or against the rim of the pelvis 
so that extension of the limb became impossible. With the thigh 
bent on the flank, the leg on the thigh, and the shank on the leg, and 
all at once wedged into the passage, delivery is practically impos- 
sible. 

The obvious remedy is to push the croup upward and forward and 
extend the hind legs, and in the early stages this can usually be ac- 
complished in the cow. A repeller (PI. XX, fig. T) is planted across 
the thighs and pointed upward toward the spine of the cow, and 
pushed forcibly in this direction during the intervals between labor 
pains. Meanwhile the oiled hand seizes the shank just below the 
hock and uses it as a lever, pushing back the body and drawing for- 
ward the foot, thus effectually seconding the action of the repeller. 
Soon a distinct gain is manifest, and as soon as the foot can be 
reached it is bent back strongly at the fetlock, held in the palm of 
the hand, and pulled up, while the repeller, pressing on the buttocks, 
assists to make room for it. In this way the foot may be brought 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 199 

safely and easily over the brim of the pelvis without any risk of lac- 
eration of the womb by the foot. After the foot has been lifted over 
the brim, the whole limb can be promptly and easily extended. In 
cases presenting special difficulty in raising the foot over the brim, 
help may be had by traction on a rope passed around in front of the 
hock, and later still by a rope with a noose fastened to the pastern. 
In the worst cases, with the buttocks and hocks wedged deeply into 
the passages, it may prove difficult or impossible to push the buttocks 
back into the abdomen, and in such a case the extension of the hind 
limb is practically impossible without mutilation. In some roomy 
cows a calf may be dragged through the passages by ropes attached 
to the bent hocks, but even when this is possible there is great risk of 
laceration of the floor of the vagina by the feet. The next resort is 
to cut the hamstring just above the point of the hock and the tendon 
on the front of the limb {flexor TThetatarsi) just above the hock, and 
even the sinews behind the shank bone just below the hock. This 
allows the stifle and hock to move independently of each other, the 
one undergoing extension without entailing the extension of the 
other; it also allows both joints to flex completely, so that the im- 
pacted mass can pass through a narrower channel. If now, by drag- 
ging on the hocks and operating with the repeller on the buttocks, 
the latter can be tilted forward sufficiently to allow of the extension 
of the stifle, the jam will be at once overcome, and the calf may be 
extracted with the hock bent, but the stifle extended. If even this 
can not be accomplished, it may now be possible to extract the whole 
mass with both hocks and stifles fully bent. To attempt this, trac- 
tion may be made on the rope around the hocks and on a sharp hook 
(PI. XX, fig. 2) passed forward between the thighs and hooked on to 
the brim of the pelvis. Everything else failing, the offending limb 
or limbs may be cut off at the hip joint and extracted, after which 
extraction may proceed by dragging on the remaining limb, or by 
hooks on the hip bones. Very little is to be gained by cutting off the 
limb at the hock, and the stifle is less accessible than the hip, and 
amputation of the stifle gives much poorer results. 

HIND LIMBS BENT FORWARD FROM THE HIP BREECH PRESENTATION. 

This is an exaggeration of the condition last described, only the 
hocks and stifles are fully extended and the whole limb carried for- 
ward beneath the belly. (PI. XVII, fig. 2.) The water bags appear 
and burst, but nothing presents unless it may be the tail. Examina- 
tion in this case detects the outline of the buttocks, with the tail and 
anus at its upper part. 

The remedy, as in the case last described, consists in pushing the 
buttock upward and forward with a repeller, the cow being kept 
standing and headed down hill until the thigh bone can be reached 



200 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

and used as a lever. Its upper end is pushed forward and its lower 
end raised until, the joints becoming fully flexed, the point of the 
hock can be raised above the brim of the pelvis. If necessary a noose 
may be passed around the leg as far down toward the hock as possible 
and pulled on forcibly, while the hand presses forward strongly on 
the back of the leg above. Wlien both hocks have been lo<:lged above 
the brim of the j)elvis the further procedure is as described under the 
last heading. 

If, however, the case is advanced and the buttocks wedged firmly 
into the passages, it may be impossible to safely push the fetus back 
into the womb, and the calf must either be dragged through the pas- 
sage as it is or the limbs or , the pelvis must be cut off. To success- 
fully extract with a breech presentation the cow must be large and 
roomy and the calf not too large. The first step in this case is to 
separate the pelvic bones on the two sides by cutting from before 
backward, exactly in the median line below and where the thighs 
come together above. This may be done with a strong embryotomy 
knife, but is most easily accomplished with the long embi-yotome. 
(PI. XX, fig. 3.) The form which I have designed (PI. XX, iig. 1), 
with a short cutting branch jointed to the main stem, is to be pre- 
ferred, as the short cutting piece may be folded on the main stem so 
that its cutting edge will be covered, and it can be introduced and 
extracted without danger. This is pushed forward beneath the calfs 
belly, and the cutting ami opened and inserted in front of the brim 
of the pelvis and pulled forcibly baek through the whole length of the 
pelvic bones. The divided edges are now made to overlap each other 
and the breadth of the haunch is materially reduced. One end of the 
cord may then be passed forward by means of a cord carrier (PI. 
XXI, fig. 5) on the inner side of one thigh until it can be seized at 
the stifle by the hand passed forward on the outer side of that thigh. 
This end is now pulled back through the vagina, and the other end 
passed through the cord carrier and passed forward on the inner side 
of the other thigh until it can be seized at the stifle by the hand 
passed forward outside that thigh. This end is drawn back tlu^ough 
the vagina like the first, and is tied around the other so as to form a 
running noose. The rope is now drawn through the ring until it 
forms a tight loop, encircling the belly just in front of the hind limbs. 
On this strong traction can be made without interfering with the fvill 
flexion of the limbs on the body, and if the case is a suitable one, and 
the body of the fetus and the passages are both Avell lubricated with 
oil or lard, a successful parturition may be accomplished. A less 
desirable method is to put a rope around one thigh or a rope around 
each and drag upon these, but manifestly the strain is not so directly 
on the spine, and the limbs may be somewhat hampered in flexion. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 201 

This method being inapplicable, the next resort is to cut off one or 
both hind limbs at the hip joint. Free incisions are made on the side 
of the haunch so as to expose the hip joint, and the muscles are cut 
away from the head of the thigh bone down to its narrow neck, 
around which a rope is passed and firmly fixed with a running noose. 
The joint is now cut into all around, and while traction is made on 
the cord the knife is inserted into the inner side of the joint and the 
round ligament severed. The cord may now be dragged upon forci- 
bly, and the muscles and other parts cut through as they are drawn 
tense, until finally the whole member has been extracted. Traction 
on the rope round the other thigh will now suffice to extract, in the 
majority of cases, but if it should fail the other limb may be cut off 
in the same manner, and then hooks inserted in front of the brim of 
the pelvis or in the openings in the bones of its floor {obturator 
foramina) will give sufficient purchase for extraction. Another 
method is to insert a knife between the bone of the rump (saenim) 
and the hip bone and sever their connections; then cut through the 
joint {syrri'physis) between the two hip bones in the median line of 
the floor of the pelvis, and then with a hook in the opening on the 
pelvic bones {obturator foramen) drag upon the limb and cut the 
tense soft parts until the limb is freed and extracted. 

PRESENTATION OF THE BACK. 

In this presentation straining may be active, but after the rupture of 
the water bags no progress is made, and the hand introduced will 
recognize the back with its row of spinous processes and the springing 
ribs at each side pressed against the entrance to the pelvis. (PI. XVII, 
fig. 6.) The presence or absence of the ribs will show whether it is 
the region of the chest or the loins. By feeling along the line of spines 
until the ribs are met with we shall learn that the head lies in that 
direction. If, on the contrary, we follow the ribs until they disappear, 
and a blank space is succeeded by hip bones, it shows that we are 
approaching the tail. The head may be turned upward, downward, 
to the right side, or to the left. 

The object must be to turn the fetus so that one extremity or the 
other can enter the passage, and the choice of which end to bring for- 
ward will depend on various considerations. If one end is much nearer 
the outlet than the other, that would naturally be selected for extrac- 
tion, but if both ends are equidistant the choice would fall on the hind 
end, as having only the two limbs to deal with without any risk of 
complication from the head. When the head is turned upward and 
forward it will usually be preferable to bring up the hind limb, since, 
owing to the drooping of the womb into the abdomen, rotation of the 
fetus will usually be easier in that direction, and if successful the 



202 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

resulting position will be a natural posterior presentation, with the 
back of the calf turned toward the rump of the cow. Similarly with 
the croup turned upward and fon;\'ard, that should be pushed on for- 
ward, and if the fore feet and head can be secured it will be a natural 
anterior presentation, with the back of the calf turned upward toward 
the rump of the cow. 

The womb should be injected with warm water or oil, and the turn- 
ing of the calf will demand the combined action of the repeller and 
the hand, but in all such cases the operator has an advantage that the 
body of the fetus is wholly within the body of the womb, and there- 
fore movable with comparative ease. No part is wedged into the 
pelvic passages as a complication. The general principles are the 
same as in faulty presentation fore and hind, and no time should be 
lost in making the manipulations necessary to bring the feet into the 
pelvis, lest they get in bent or otherwise displaced and add unneces- 
sary complications. 

With a transverse direction of the calf, the head being turned to 
one side, the pressure must be directed laterally, so that the body will 
glide around on one side of the womb, and the extremities when 
reached must be promptly seized and brought into the passages. 
Sometimes a fortunate struggle of a live fetus will greatly aid in rec- 
tifying the position. 

BREAST AND ABDOMEN PRESENTED ALL. FOUR FEET IN THE PASSAGES. 

In this form the calf lies across the womb with its roached-back 
turned forward and its belly toward the pelvis. All four feet may be 
extended and engaged in the passages, or one or more may be bent 
on themselves so as to lie in front of the pelvis. The head, too, may 
usually be felt on the right side or the left, and if detected it serves 
to identify the exact position of the fetus. The position may further 
be decided upon by examination of the feet and limbs. With the 
limbs extended the front of the hoofs and the convex aspect of the 
bent pasterns and fetlocks will look toward that flank in which lie the 
head and shoulders. On examination still higher the smooth, even 
outline of the knee and its bend, looking toward the hind parts, char- 
acterize the fore limb, while the sharp prominence of the point of the 
hock and the bend on the opposite side of the joint, looking toward 
the head, indicate the hind limb. (PL XVII, fig. 5.) 

The remedy for this condition is to be sought in repelling into the 
womb those limbs that are least eligible for extraction, and bringing 
into the passages the most eligible extremities. The most eligible will 
usually be those which project farthest into the passages, indicating 
the nearer proximity of that end of the calf. An exception may, 
however, be made in favor of that extremity which will give the most 



DISEASES OP THE GENERATTVE ORGANS. 203 

natural presentation. Thus if, owing to obliquity in the position of 
the fetus, the hind extremities promised a presentation with the back 
of the fetus turned down toward the udder, and the anterior extremi- 
ties one with the back turned up toward the spine, the latter should 
be selected. Again, if the choice for the two extremities is evenly 
balanced, the hind may be chosen as offering less risk of complication, 
there being no head to get displaced. 

Treatment. — The first step in the treatment is to place a running 
noose on each of the four feet, marking those of the fore limbs to dis- 
tinguish them from those of the hind. In case it is proposed to bring 
the anterior extremities into the passage, a noose should also be placed 
on the lower jaw. Then run the ropes attached to the two feet that 
are to be pushed back through the ring of a cord carrier (PI. XXI, 
fig. 5), passing the rings down to the feet, and by the aid of the car- 
rier push them well back into the womb and hold them there. Mean- 
while drag upon the ropes attached to the two other feet so as to 
bring them into the passage (or, in case of the anterior extremity, on 
the two foot ropes and the head one). The other feet must be pushed 
back into the womb until the body of the calf is fully engaged in the 
passages. After this they can no longer find an entrance, but must 
follow as the body escapes. 

NEGLvECTED AND AGGRAVATED CASES. 

In laying down the above rules for giving assistance in critical 
cases of calving it is not intimated that all cases and stages can be 
successfully dealt with. Too often assistance is not sought for many 
hours or even days after labor pains, and the escape of the waters 
intimate the danger of delay, and not seldom the long delay has been 
filled up with unintelligent and injurious attempts at rendering assist- 
ance, violent pulling when resistance is insurmountable without 
change of position, injuries to the vagina and womb by ill-considered 
but too forcibly executed attempts to change the position, the repeated 
and long-continued contact with rough hands and rougher ropes and 
hooks, the gashes with knives and lacerations with instruments in 
ignorant hands, the infecting material introduced on filthy hands and 
instruments, and the septic inflammations started in the now dry and 
tender passages and womb, and not infrequently the death, putrefac- 
tion, and bloating of the calf in the womb, rendering the case ex- 
tremely unpromising and making it impossible to apply successfully 
many of the measures above recommended. The labor pains of the 
cow may have practically ceased from exhaustion; the passages of 
the vagina may be so dry, tender, friable, red, and swollen that it 
requires considerable effort even to pass the oiled hand through them, 
and the extraction of the calf or any portion of it through such a 



204 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

channel seems a hopeless task; the womb may be equally dry and 
inflamed and SM'ollen, so that its lining membrane or even its entire 
thickness is easily torn; the fetal membranes have lost their natural 
unctuous and slippeiy character, and cling firmly to the dry walls 
of the womb, to the dry skin of the calf, or to the hands of the op- 
erator; the dead and putrefying calf may be so bloated w^ith gases 
that the womb has been overdistended by its presence, and the two 
adhere so closely that the motion of the one on the other is practically 
impossible. In other cases reckless attempts to cut the calf in pieces 
have left raw surfaces with proje<;ting bones which dangerously 
scratch and tear the womb and passages. 

In many cases the extreme resort must be had of cutting the fetus 
to pieces (embi-yotomy), or the still more redoubtable one of Csesar- 
ean section (extraction through the flank). 

DISSECTION OF THE UNBORN CAI.F (EMBRYOTOMY). 

In some cases the dissection of the calf is the only feasible means 
of delivering it through the natural passages; and while it is espe- 
ciall}^ applicable to the dead calf, it is also on occasion called for in 
the case of the living. As a rule, the living calf should be preserved, 
if possible, but if this threatens to entail the death of the cow it is 
only in the case of off'spring of rare value that its presentation is to 
be preferred. To those acquainted with the toil, fatigue, and discom- 
fort of embryotomy, no discussion is necessaiy so long as there is a 
prospect of success from the simple and generally easier method of 
rectifying the faulty position of the calf. But when the correction of 
the position is manifestly' impossible, when distortions and monstrosi- 
ties of the fetus successfully obstruct delivery, when the pelvic pas- 
sages are seriously contracted by fractures and bony growths, when 
the passages are virtually almost closed by swelling, or when the calf 
is dead and excessively swollen, no other resort ma}' be available. In 
many cases of distortion and displacement the dismemberment of the 
entire calf is unnecessary, the removal of the offending member being 
all that is required. It will be convenient, therefore, to describe the 
various suboperations one by one and in the order in which they are 
usually demanded. 

AMPUTATION OF THE FORE LIMB. 

In cutting ofl' a fore limb it is the one presenting that should be 
selected, since it is much more easily operated on, and its complete 
removal from the side of the chest affords so much more space for 
manipulation that it often makes it easy to bring the other missing 
limb or the head into position. The first consideration is to skin the 
limb from the fetlock up and leave the skin attached to the body. 
The reasons for this are: (a) That the skin is the most resistant 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 205 

structure of the limb, and when it has been removed the entire limb 
can be easily detached; (h) the tough skin left from the amputated 
limb may be used as a cord in subsequent traction on the body of the 
calf; (c) the dissection and separation of the limb are far more 
safely accomplished under the protection of the enveloping skin than 
if the operator's hands and instruments were in direct contact with 
the walls of the passages ot womb; {d) the dissection can be much 
more easily effected while the skin is stretched by the left hand, so 
as to form a comparatively firmer resistant point for the knife, than 
when it is attempted to cut the soft, yielding, and elastic tissues which 
naturally offer little solid resistance but constantly recede before the 
cutting edge of the instrument. The preservation of the skin is 
therefore a cardinal principle in the amputation of all parts in which 
it is at all feasible. 

The presenting foot is inclosed in a noose and drawn well out of 
the passages. Then a circular incision through the skin is made 
around the limb just above the fetlock. From this the skin is slit 
up on the inner side of the limb to the breast. Then the projecting 
part of the limb is skinned up to the vulva, traction being made on 
the foot by an assistant so as to expose as much as possible. The 
embryotomy knife may now be taken (PI. XXI, fig. 2), and a small 
hole having been cut in the free end of the detached portion of skin, 
that is seized by the left hand and extended while its firm connections 
with the deeper structures are cut through. The looser connections 
can be more quickly torn through with the closed fist or the tips of 
the four fingers held firmly together in a line or with the spud, of 
which there are several kinds. Much of the upper part of the limb 
can be skinned more speedily without the knife, but that must be re- 
sorted to to cut across tough bands whenever these interrupt the 
progress. The skinning" should be carried upward on the outer side 
of the shoulder blade to the spine or nearly so. Then with the knife 
the muscles attaching the elbow and shoulder to the breastbone are 
cut aoross, together with those on the inner side of the shoulder joint 
and in front and behind it so far as these can be reached. Steady 
traction is now made upon the foot, the remaining muscles attaching 
the shoulder blade to the trunk are torn through with a cracking 
noise, and the whole limb, including the shoulder blade and its in- 
vesting muscles, comes away. If the shoulder blade is left the bulk 
of the chest is not diminished, and nothing has been gained. Before 
going further it is well to see whether the great additional space thus 
secured in the passages will allow of the missing limb or head to be 
brought into position. If not, the other presenting part, limb or 
head, is to be amputated and extracted. For the limb the procedure 
is a repetition of that just described. 



206 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



AMPUTATION OF THE HEAD. 



The head is first seized and drawn well forward, or even outside 
the vulva, by a rope with a running noose placed around the lower 
jaw just behind the incisor teeth, by a sharp hook inserted in the 
arch of the lower jaw behind the union of its two branches and back 
of the incisor teeth, or by hooks inserted in the orbits, or, finally, in 
case the whole head protrudes, by a halter. (PL XXI, figs. 4a 
and 4&.) 

In case the whole head protrudes, a circular incision through the 
skin is made just back of the ear, and the cut edge being held firmly 
by the left hand, the neck is skinned as far as it can be reached. 
Then the great ligamentous cord above the spine is cut across at the 
farthest available point, together with the muscles above and below 
the spine. Strong traction on the head will then detach it at this 
point and bring it away, but should there still be too much resistance 
the knife is inserted between the bodies of two vertebrae just behind 
one of the prominent points felt in the median line below, and their 
connecting fibrous cartilage is cut through, after which compara- 
tively moderate pulling will bring it away. The detached neck and 
body at once slip back into the womb, and if the fore limbs are now 
brought up and pulled they are advanced so far upon the chest that 
the transverse diameter of that is greatly diminished and delivery 
correspondingly facilitated. 

If the head is still inclosed in the vagina two methods are avail- 
able: (1) The removal of the lower jaw and subsequent separation of 
the head from the neck; (2) the skinning of the whole head and its 
separation from the neck. 

To remove the lower jaw the skin is dissected away from it until 
the throat is reached. Then the muscles of the cheeks and side of 
the jaw (masseters) are cut through and those connecting the jaw 
with the neck. When traction is made on the rope round the lower 
jaw it will usually come away with little trouble. Should it j'esist, 
its posterior extremity on each side (behind the grinding teeth) may 
be cut through with bone forceps or with a guarded bone chisel. 
(PI. XX, fig. 8.) After the removal of the lower jaw the way will 
be open to separate the head from the neck, the knife being used to 
cut into the first or second joint from below, or the bone forceps or 
chisel being employed to cut through the bones of the neck. Then 
traction is made on the head by means of hooks in the orbits, and the 
hand, armed with an embryotomy knife, is introduced to cut through 
the tense resisting ligament and muscles above the bones. The skin 
and the strong ligamentous cord attached to the poll are the essential 
things to cut, as the muscles can easily be torn across. Unless there 
are great difficulties in the way it is well to skin the head from the 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 207 

eyes back, and on reaching the poll to cut through the ligament and 
then bring the head away by pulling. 

If it is decided to remove the entire head at once, it may be skinned 
from the front of the eyes back to behind the lower jaw below and 
the poll above, then cut through the muscles and ligaments around 
the first joint and pull the head away, assisting, if need be, in the 
separation of the head by using the knife on the ligament of the 
joint. 

If the calf is a double-headed monster, the skinning of the head 
must be carried backward until the point has been reached where 
both heads branch from the single neck, and the separation must be 
made at that point. The muscles and ligaments are first to be cut 
through; and if the part can not then be detached by pulling, the 
bodies of the vertebrae may be separated by passing the knife through 
the joint. The second head may now be secured by a noose around 
the lower jaw or hooks in the orbits and brought up into place, the 
body being pushed back toward the other side by a repeller, so as to 
make room. 

It should be added that, excepting in the case of a double-headed 
monster, or in case of the head protruding or nearly so, and one or 
both fore limbs presenting, it is rarely desirable to undertake ampu- 
tation of the head. The space desirable in the passages can usually 
be secured by the much simpler and easier procedure of removing 
one or both fore limbs. 

AMPUTATION OF THE HIND LIMBS. 

This is sometimes demanded on the one extended limb when the 
other can not be brought up and delivery can not be effected ; also in 
case of monsters having extra hind limbs; in cases where the calf is 
dead, putrid, and bloated with gas, and in some cases of breech pre- 
sentation, as described under that head. 

When the limb is extended the guiding principles are as in the case 
of the fore limbs. The skin is cut through circularly above the fet- 
lock and slit up to beneath the pelvic bones on the inner side of the 
thigh. It is then dissected from the other parts as high as it has been 
slit on the inner side and to above the prominence {trochanter major) 
on the upper end of the thigh bone on the outer side of the joint. In 
this procedure the hands and spud can do much, but owing to the 
firmer connections the knife will be more frequently required than in 
the case of the fore limb. The muscles are now cut through all 
around the hip joint, and strong traction is made by two or three men 
on the limb. If there is still too much resistance, a knife is inserted 
into the joint on the inner side and its round ligament cut through, 
after which extraction will be comparatively easy. This accom- 



208 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

plished, it will often be possible to extract the fetus with the other 
leg turned forward into the womb. If the calf is bloated with gas, it 
may be necessary to remove the other leg in the same way, and even 
to cut open the chest and abdomen and remove their contents before 
extraction can be effected. In the case of extra limbs it may be pos- 
sible to bring them up into the passages after the presenting hind 
limbs have been removed. If this is not practicable, they may be de- 
tached by cutting them through at the hip joint, as described under 
" Breech presentation," page 199. 

Another method of removing the hind limb is. after having skinned 
it over the quarter, to cut through the pelvic bones from before back- 
ward, in the median line below, by knife, saw. or long embryotome 
(PI. XX, fig. 1), and then disjoint the bones of the spine (sacrfcm) 
and the hip bone {ilium) on that side with embryotome, knife, or 
saw, and then drag away the entire limb, along with all the hip bones 
on that side. This has the advantage of securing more room and 
thereby facilitating subsequent operations. Both limbs may be re- 
moved in this way, but on the removal of the second the operator is 
without any solid point to drag upon in bringing away the remainder 
of the fetus. 

DIVISION ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE BODY. 

In cases of extra size, monstrosity, or distortion of one end of the 
body it may be requisite to cut the body in two and return the half 
from the passages into the womb, even after one-half has been born. 
The presenting members are dragged upon forcibly by assistants to 
bring as much of the body as possible outside. Then cut through the 
skin around the body at some distance from the vulva, and with hand, 
knife, and spud detach it from the trunk as far back into the passages 
as can be reached. Next cut across the body at the point reached, 
beginning at the lower part (breast, belly) and proceeding up toward 
the spine. This greatly favors the separation of the backbone when 
reached, and further allow^s of its being extended so that it can be 
divided higher uj). "N^Hien the backbone is reached, the knife is 
passed between the two bones, the prominent ridges across their ends 
acting as guides, and by dragging and twisting the one is easily 
detached from the other. With an anterior presentation the separa- 
tion should, if possible, be made behind the last rib, while with a 
posterior presentation as many of the ribs should be brought away as 
can be accomplished. Having removed one half of the body, the re- 
maining half is to be pushed back into the w-omb, the feet sought 
and secured with nooses, and the second half removed in one piece 
if possible ; and if not, then after the removal of the extra limb or 
other cause of obstruction. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE OEGANS. 209 

REMOVAl, OF THE CONTENTS OK CHEST OK ABDOMEN. 

If the body of the calf sticks fast in the passages by reason of the 
mere dryness of its skin and of the passages, the obstacle may be 
removed by injecting sweet oil past the fetus into the womb through 
a rubber or other tube, and smearing the passages freely with lard. 
When the obstruction depends on excess of size of the chest or abdo- 
men or thickening of the body from distorted spine, much advantage 
may be derived from the removal of the contents of these great cavi- 
ties of the trunk. We have already seen how the haunches may be 
narrowed by cutting the bones apart in the median line below and 
causing their free edges to overlap each other. The abdomen can be 
cut open by the embryotomy knife or the long embryotome in the 
median line, or at any point, and the contents pulled out with the 
hand, the knife being used in any case when especial resistance is 
encountered. If the abdomen is so firmly impacted that it can not be 
dealt with in this way, one hind limb and the hip bone on the same 
side may be removed as described under "Amputation of the hind 
limbs," page 207. This will allow the introduction of the hand into 
the abdomen from behind, so as to pull out the contents. By intro- 
ducing an embryotomy knife in the palm of the hand and cutting 
through the muscle of the diaphragm the interior of the chest can 
be reached in the same way and the heart and lungs removed. 

When, in dealing with an anterior presentation, it becomes neces- 
sary to remove the contents of the chest, the usual course is to cut 
through the connections of the ribs with the breastbone (the costal 
cartilages) close to the breastbone on each side, and from the abdo- 
men forward to the neck. Then cut through the muscles connecting 
the front of the breastbone with the neck and its hinder end with the 
belly, and pull out the entire breastbone. Having torn out the heart 
and lungs with the hand, make the rib cartilages on the one side over- 
lap those on the other, so as to lessen the thickness of the chest, and 
proceed to extract the body. If it seems needful to empty the abdo- 
men as well, it is easy to reach it by cutting through the diaphragm, 
which separates it from the chest. 

DELIVERY THROUGH THE FLANK (CESAREAN SECTION, OR LAPAROTOMY). 

This is sometimes demanded, when the distortion and narrowing of 
the hip bones are such as to forbid the passage of the calf, or when 
inflammation has practically closed the natural passages and the 
progeny is more valuable and worthy of being saved than the dam ; 
also in cases in which the cow has been fatally injured, or is ill beyond 
possibility of recovery and yet carries a living calf. It is too often a 
last resort after long and fruitless efforts to deliver by the natural 
16923°— 12 14 



210 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

channels, and in such cases the saving of the calf is all that can be 
expected, the exhausted cow, already the subject of active inflamma- 
tion and too often also of putrid poisoning, is virtually beyond hope. 
The hope of saving the dam is greatest if she is in good health and 
not fatigued, in cases, for example, in which the operation is resorted 
to on account of broken hip bones or abnormally narrow passages. 

The stock owner will not attempt such a serious operation as this. 
Yet, where the mother has just died or is to be immediately sacrificed, 
no one should hesitate to resort to it in order to save the calf. If 
alive it is important to have the cow perfectly still. Her left fore leg 
being bent at the knee by one person, another may seize the left horn 
and nose and turn the head to the right until the nose rests on the 
spine just above the shoulder. The cow will sink down gently on her 
left side without shock or struggle. One may now hold the head 
firmly to the ground, while a second, carrying the end of the tail from 
behind forward on the inside of the right thigh, pulls upon it so as to 
keep the right hind limb well raised from the ground. If time presses 
she may be operated on in this position, or if the cow is to be sacri- 
ficed a blow on the head with an ax will secure quietude. Then the 
prompt cutting into the abdomen and womb and the extraction of the 
calf requires no skill. If, however, the cow is to be preserved, her two 
fore feet and the lower hind one should be safely fastened together 
and the upper hind one drawn back. Two ounces chloral hydrate, 
given by injection, should induce sleep in 20 minutes, and the opera- 
tion may proceed. In case the cow is to be preserved, wash the right 
flank and apply a solution of 4 grains of corrosive sublimate in a 
pint of water. 

Then, with an ordinary scalpel or knife, dipped in the above solu- 
tion, make an incision from 2 inches below and in front of the outer 
angle of the hip bone in a direction downward and slightly forward 
to a distance of 12 inches. Cut through the muscles, and more care- 
fully through the transparent lining membrane of the abdomen 
( peritoneum ) , letting the point of the knife lie in the groove between 
the first two fingers of the left hand as they are slid down inside the 
membrane and with their back to the intestines. An assistant, whose 
hands, like those of the operator, have been dipped in the sublimate 
solution^, may press his hands on the wound behind the knife to pre- 
vent the protrusion of the intestines. The operator now feels for 
and brings up to the wound the gravid womb, allowing it to bulge 
well through the abdominal wound, so as to keep back the bowels and 
prevent any escape of water into the abdomen. This is seconded by 
two assistants, who press the lips of the wound against the womb. 
Then an incision 12 inches long is made into the womb at its mast 
prominent point, deep enough to penetrate its walls, but not so as to 
cut into the water bags. In cutting, carefully avoid the cotyledons, 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 21.1 

which may be felt as liard masses inside. By pressure the water bags 
may be made to bulge out as in natural parturition, and this project- 
ing portion may be torn or cut so as to let the liquid flow down 
outside of the belly. The operator now plunges his hand into the 
womb, seizes the fore or hind limbs, and quickly extracts the calf and 
gives it to an attendant to convey to a safe place. The womb may be 
drawn out, but not until all the liquid has flowed out^ and the fetal 
niembrances must be separated from the natural cotyledons, one by 
one, and the membranes removed. The womb is now emptied with a 
sponge, which has been boiled or squeezed out of a sublimate solution, 
and if any liquid has fallen into the abdomen it may be removed in 
the same way. A few stitches are now placed in the wound in the 
womb, using carbolized catgut. They need not be very close to- 
gether, as the wound will diminish greatly when the womb contracts. 
Should the womb not contract at once it may have applied against it 
a sponge squeezed out of a cold sublimate solution, or it may be drawn 
out of the abdominal wound and exposed to the cold air until it 
contracts. Its contraction is necessary to prevent bleeding from its 
enormous network of veins. When contracted, the womb is returned 
into the abdomen and the abdominal wound sewed up. One set of 
stitches, to be placed at intervals of 2 inches, is passed through the 
entire thickness of skin and muscles and tied around two quills or 
little rollers resting on the skin. (PI. XXVIII^ fig. 7.) These 
should be of silver, and may be cut at one end and pulled out after 
the wound has healed. The superficial stitches are put in every half 
inch and passed through the skin only. They, too, may be of silver, 
or pins may be inserted through the lips and a fine cord twisted round 
their ends like a figure 8. (PL XXVIII, fig. 9.) The points of the 
pins may be snipped off with pliers. The edges may be still further 
held together by the application of Venice turpentine, melted so as to 
become firmly adherent, and covered with a layer of sterilized cotton 
wool. Then the whole should be supported by a bandage fixed 
around the loins and abdomen. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. 

Plate XII : 

Fetus with its membranes at mid term. The uterus is opened on the left 
side. In the uterus the fetus is surrounded by several membrances, 
which are known as the amnion, or inner layer, the allantois, or central 
layer, and the chorion, or outer layer. The amnion, or inner mem- 
brane, is nearest the fetus, and forms a closed sac around it, filled with 
a fluid known as liquor amnii, in which the fetus floats. 
The allantois is the central membrance, and is composed of two layers, 
which form a closed sac in connection with the urachus, or the tube 
which extends from the fetal bladder through the umbilical cord. The 
one layer of the allantois is spread over the outer surface of the amnion 
and the other over the inner surface of chorion. The allantois also 
contains a fluid which is known as the allantoid liquid. 
The chorion is the outer envelope or membrane of the fetus, completely 
inclosing the fetus with its other membranes. On the outer surface 
of this membrane are found the fetal placentulfe, or cotyledons, which, 
through their attachment to the maternal cotyledons, furnish the fetus 
with the means of sustaining life. The relation of the fetal and mater- 
nal cotyledons to each other is illustrated on the following plate. 

Plate XIII : 

Fig. 1. Uterus of the cow during pregancy, laid open to show the coty- 
ledons (d) on the internal surface of uterus (c). The ovary (a) is 
shown cut across, and the two halves laid open to show the position of 
the discharged ovum at (a'). 
Fig. 2. Illustrates the relation of the fetal and maternal parts of a coty- 
ledon. A portion of the uterus (^) is shown with the maternal coty- 
ledon (BB) attached to it. The fetal portion (D) consists of a mass 
of very minute hairlike processes on the chorion (E), which fit into 
corresponding depressions or pits of the maternal portion. Each por- 
tion is abundantly supplied with blood vessels, so that a ready inter- 
change of nutritive fluid may take place between mother and fetus. 

Plate XIV : 

Fig. 1. Taken from Furstenherg-Leisering, Anatomie itnd Physiologic ihs 
Rindes. Fetal calf with a portion of the wall of the abdominal cavity 
of the right side and the stomach and intestines removed to illustrate 
the nature of the umbilical or navel cord. It consists of a tube (1-1') 
into which pass the two umbilical arteries (3) carrying blood to the 
placenta in the uterus or womb and the umbilical vein (4) bringing 
the blood back and currying it into the liver. The cord also con- 
tains the urachus (2'), which carries urine from the bladder (2) 
through the cord. These vessels are all obliterated at birth. 5, liver ; 
5', lobe of same, known as the lobus Spiegelii ; 5", gall bladder; 
6, right kidney; G', left kidney; 6", ureters, or the tubes conducting 
the urine from the kidneys to the bladder; 7, rectum, where it has 
been severed in removing the intestines; 8, uterus of the fetus, cut 
off at the anterior extremity ; 9, aorta ; 10, posterior vena cava. 
212 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XX. 



C 



^nmwii 



4.i\ 



c:::!; 



Jk 






:^::^ c^ 



mmm 




JK^ 







. Mft/itf.i . r/f/. 



us BiEN CO I 



Instruments used in Difficult Labor. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XXl. 






SSS5SS£SSS£SSSSSSS5S3SS£ 




^SSSSS^^ 






Instruments used in Difficult Labor. 



ft 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 213 

Plate XIV — Continued. 

Fig. 2. Taken from Quain's Anatomy, Vol. II, showing the blood vessels 
passing through the umbilical cord in a human fetus: L, liver; K, 
kidney; /, intestines; U C, umbilical cord; Ua, umbilical arteries. The 
posterior aorta coming from the heart passes backward and gives rise 
to the internal iliac arteries, and of these the umbilical arteries are 
branches. Uv, umbilical vein; this joins the portal vein, passes onward 
to the liver, breaks up into smaller vessels, which reunite in the hepatic 
vehi ; this empties into the posterior vena cava, which carries the blood 
back to the heart. 
Plate XV : 

Showing the most favorable position of the calf or fetus in the womb at 
birth, and the position in which it is most freque'itly found. This is 
known as the normal anterior position. The back of the fetus is 
directly toward that of the mother, the forelegs are extended back 
toward the vulva of the mother, and the head rests between them. 
The birth of the calf in this position usually takes place without arti- 
ficial assistance. 
Plate XVI : 

Fig. 1. Anterior presentation ; one fore limb completely retained. From 
Fleming's Veterinary Obstetrics. The retained limb must be reached 
if possible and brought forward joint by joint and the fetus then 
extracted. 

Fig. 2. Anterior presentation ; fore limbs bent at knee. From Fleming's 
A'eterinary Obstetrics. The limbs must be extended before delivery 
can be accomplished. 

Fig. 3. Anterior presentation ; fore limb crossed over neck. From Flem- 
ing's Veterinary Obstetrics. The leg should be grasped a little above 
tlie fetlock, raised, drawn to its proper side, and extended in the genital 
canal. 

Fig. 4. Anterior presentation ; downward deviation of head. After St. 
Cyr, from Hill's Bovine Medicine and Surgery. The head must be 
brought into position seen in Plate XV before delivery can take place. 

Fig. 5. Anterior presentation ; deviation of the head upward and backward. 
From Fleming's Veterinary Obstetrics. Retropulsion is the first indi- 
cation, and will often bring the head into its normal position. 

Fig. 0. Anterior presentation ; head presenting with back down. Fi*om 
D'Arboval, Diet, de Med. et de Chir. The fetus should be turned by 
pushing back tlie fore parts and bringing up the hind so as to make a 
posterior presentation. 
Plate XVII : 

Fig. 1. Anterior presentation, with hind feet engaged in pelvis. A very 
serious malpresentation, in which it is generally impossible to save the 
fetus if delivery is far advanced. The indications are to force back the 
hind feet. 

Fig. 2. Thigh and croup presentation, showing the fetus corded. From 
Fleming's Veterinary Obstetrics. The cord has a ring or noose at one 
end. The two ends of the cord are passetl between the thighs, brought 
out at the flanks, and the plain end passed through the noose at the 
top of the back and brought outside. the vulva. The fetus must be 
jnished back and an attempt made to bring the limbs properly into the 
genital passage. 



214 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Plate XVII — Continued. 

Fig. .3. Croup and hock presentation. From Fleming's Veterinary Ob- 
stetrics. The indications in this abnormal presentation are the same 
as described for Fig. 2. 

Fig. 4. Posterior presentation; the fetus on its baols. From D'Arboval, 
Diet, de Med. et de Chir. Turn the fetus so as to malje a normal 
anterior presentation. 

Fig. 5. Sterno-abdominal presentation. From D'Arboval, Die. de Med. et de 
Chir. The fetus is on its side with limbs crossing and presenting. The 
limbs least eligible for extraction should be forced back into the uterus. 

Fig. 6. Dorso-lumbar presentation ; the back presenting. From D'Arboval, 
Diet, de Med. et de Chir. The fetus must be turned so that one or the 
other extremity can enter the passage. 
Plate XVIII : 

Fig. 1. Tvp^in pregnancy, showing the normal anterior and posterior presenta- 
tions. From Fleming's Veterinary Obstetrics. 

Fig. 2. Abdominal dropsy of the fetus ; normal presentation ; fore limbs 
corded. After Armatage. The di'awing illustrates the method of punc- 
turing the abdomen through the chest with a long trocar and cannula. 
The fluid is represented escaping from the cannula after the withdrawal 
of the trocar. 

Fig. 3. Tallich's short, bent, crotchet forceps. The forceps have bent and 
toothed jaws, which are intended to take hold of the fetus where neither 
cords nor hooks can be applied, as the ear, nose, or skin of cheek. 

Fig. 4. Clamp for ear, skin, etc. : 1-1, blades with hooks and corresponding 
holes : 2, ring to close the blades ; 3, stem with female screw for handle ; 
4, handle, which may be either straight or jointed and flexible. 
Plate XIX : 

This plate illustrates various malformations and diseases of the fetus which 
act as the cause of difficult parturition. 

Figs. 1, 2, 3. Represent the fetuses with portions of their bodies double. 
Fig. 1 (from Fleming's Veterinary Obstetrics), double head, neck, and 
fore limbs. Fig. 2 (from Encyclop. der Gesam. Thierheilkunde, 1886), 
double head, neck, forelimbs, and body. Fig. 3 (from Fleming's Veter- 
inary Obstetrics), double faced. 

Fig. 4. Fetus with head very much enlarged. From Fleming's Veterinary 
Obstetrics. This affection is known as hydrocephalus, or dropsy of the 
brain, and is due to a more or less considerable quantity of fluid in the 
cranial cavity of the fetus. 

Fig. 5. Skull of the calf represented in Fig. 4. The roof of the skull is 
absent. From Fleming's Veterinary Obstetrics. 
Plate XX: 

Fig. 1. Long embryotome with joint. 

Fig. 2. Long sharp hook. This instrument is about 3 feet in length, includ- 
ing the handle. Hooks of this kind, both blunt and sharp, are applied 
directly to the fetus to assist in delivery. 

Fig. 3. Giinther's long-handled embryotome. This instrument and that rep- 
resented in Fig. 1 are of special value in cutting through muscular tis- 
sue and in separating the limbs from the trunk when the fetus can not 
be removed entire. These embryotomes are usually 30 inches long, but 
may be made either longer or shorter. 

Fig. 4. Jointed cord-carrier, used in difficult parturition to carry a cord into 
regions which can not be reached by the arm. 



DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 215 

Plate XX — Continued. 

Fig. 5. Instrument usetl to rotate or turn the fetus, Ijnown as a rotator. 

Fig. 6. Dilator of the neck of the womb, used when conception can not take 
place owing to a contracted condition of the neck of the womb. 

Fig. 7. Repeller. An instrument from 2 to 3 feet long, usefl to force the 
fetus forward into the womb. This operation is generally necessary 
when the presentation is abnormal and the fetus has advanced too far 
into the nari'ow inlet to the uterus to be moved. 

Fig. 8. Cartwright's bone chisel. Including the handle this instrument is 
about 32 inches in length, the chisel portion is a little more than 2 
inches long and 1 to 1^ broad. Only the middle portion is sharp, the 
projecting corners are blunt and the sides rounded. This instrument 
is used for slitting up the skin of a limb and as a bone chisel when it 
is necessary to mutilate the fetus in order to effect delivery. 
Plate XXI : 

Fig. 1. Embryotomy an instrument used when it is necessary to reduce the 
size of the fetus by cutting away certain parts before birth can be 
effected. This instrument may be long or short, straight or curved. 

Fig. 2. Also an embryotome. The blade can be made to slide out of or into 
the handle. The instrument can thus be introduced into or withdrawn 
from the genital passage without risk of injury to the mother. 

Fig. 3. Schaack's traction cord. This is merely a cord with a running noose 
at one end and a piece of wood at the other, to offer a better hold for 
the hand. 

Figs. 4a and 4b. Reuff's head collar for securing the head of the fetus. 

Fig. 5. Curved cord-carrier, used in difficult parturition to carry a cord into 
regions which can not be reached by the arm. 

Fig. 6. Blunt hook, used in difficult parturition. 

Fig. 7. Short hook forceps, used in difficult parturition. 

Fig. 8. Blunt finger hook. 



I 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 

By James Law, F. R C. V. S., 
Professor of Veterinary Science, etc., in Cornell Vniversily. 

FLOODING (hLEEDING FROM THE WOMb). 

Though not so common in the cow as in the hnman female, flooding 
is sufficiently frequent to demand attention. It may depend on a too 
rapid calving and a consequent failure of the womb to contract when 
the calf has been removed. The pregnant womb is extraordinarily 
rich in blood vessels, and especially in large and tortuous veins, 
which become compressed and all but obliterated under contraction, 
but remain overfilled and often bleed into the cavity of the womb 
should no contraction take place. Cox records cases in which the 
labor pains had detached and expelled the fetal membranes, while 
the calf, owing to large size or wrong presentation, was detained in 
the womb, and the continued dilatation of the womb in the absence 
of the fetal membranes led to a flow of blood which accumulated in 
clots around the calf. Other causes are laceration of the cotyledons 
of the womb, or from an antecedent inflammation of the placenta, and 
the unnatural adhesion of the membranes to the womb, which bleeds 
when the two are torn apart. Weakness of the womb from overdis- 
tention, as in dropsy, twins, etc., is not without its influence. Finally, 
eversion of the womb (casting the withers) is an occasional cause of 
flooding. The trouble is only too evident when the blood flows from 
the external passages in drops or in a fine stream. But when it is 
retained in the cavity of the womb it may remain unsuspected until 
it has rendered the animal almost bloodless. The symptoms in such 
a case are paleness of the eyes, nose, mouth, and of the lips of the 
vulva, a weak, rapid pulse, violent and perhaps loud beating of the 
heart (palpitations), sunken, staring eyes, coldness of the skin, ears, 
horns, and limbs, perspiration, weakness in standing, staggering 
gait, and, finally, inability to rise, and death in convulsions. If these 
symptoms are seen, the oiled hand should be introduced into the 
womb, which w^ill be found open and flaccid and containing large 
blood clots. 

Treatment. — Treatment consists in the removal of the fetal mem- 
branes and blood clots from the womb (which will not contract while 
they are present), the dashing of cold water on the loins, right flank, 
210 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PAKTUKITION. 217 

and vulva, and if these measures fail, the injection of cold water into 
the womb through a rubber tube furnished with a funnel. In obsti- 
nate cases a good-sized sponge soaked in tincture of muriate of iron 
should be introduced into the womb and firmly squeezed, so as to 
bring the iron in contact with the bleeding surface. This is at once 
an astringent and a coagulant for the blood, besides stinudating the 
womb to contraction. In the absence of this agent astringents (solu- 
tion of copperas, alum, tannic acid, or acetate of lead) may be thrown 
into the womb, and one-half-dram doses of acetate of lead may be 
given by the mouth, or 1 ounce powdered ergot of rye may be given 
in gruel. When nothing else is at hand, an injection of oil of tur- 
pentine Avill sometimes promptly check the bleeding. 

EVERSION OF THE WOMB (CASTING THE WITHERS). 

Like flooding, this is the result of failure of the womb to contract 
after calving. If that organ contracts naturally, the afterbirth is 
expelled, the internal cavity of the womb is nearly closed, and the 
mouth of the organ becomes so narrow that the hand can not be 
forced through, much less the whole mass of the matrix. When, 
however, it fails to contract, the closed end of one of the horns may 
fall into its open internal cavity, and under the compression of the 
adjacent intestines, and the straining and contraction of the abdomi- 
nal Avails, it is forced farther and farther, until the whole organ is 
turned outside in, slides back through the vagina, and hangs from 
the vulva. The womb can be instantly distinguished from the pro- 
truding vagina or bladder by the presence over its whole surface of 
50 to 100 mushroom-like bodies (cotyledons), each 2 to 3 inches 
in diameter, and attached by a narrow neck. (Pis. XII, XIII.) 
A^Tien fully everted, it is further recognizable by a large, undivided 
body hanging from the vulva, and two horns or divisions which 
hang down toward the hocks. In the imperfect eversions the body 
of the womb may be present with two depressions leading into the 
two horns. In the cases of some standing the organ has become 
inflamed and gorged with blood until it is as large as a bushel 
basket, and its surface has a dark-reel, blood-like hue, and tears and 
bleeds on the slightest touch. Still later lacerations, raw sores, and 
even gangrene are shown in the mass. At the moment of protrusion 
the general health is not altered, but soon the inflammation and fever 
with the violent and continued straining induce exhaustion, and the 
cow lies down, making no attempt to rise. 

T7'eat7ne7it,— 'Treatment will vary somewhat, according to the de- 
gree of the eversion. In partial eversion, with the womb protruding 
only slightly from the vulva and the cow standing, let ap assistant 
pinch the back to prevent straining while the operator pushes his 



218 BISEASES OF CATTLE. 

closed fist into the center of the mass and carries it back through the 
vagina, assisting in returning the surrounding parts by the other 
hand. In more complete eversion, but with the womb as yet of its 
natural bulk and consistency, and the cow standing, straining being 
checked by pinching the back, a sheet is held by two men so as to 
sustain the everted womb and raise it to the level of the vulva. It 
is now sponged clean with cold water, the cold being useful in driving 
out the blood and reducing the bulk, and finally it may be sponged 
over with laudanum or with a weak solution of carbolic acid (1 dram 
to 1 quart water) . 

The closed fist may now be planted in the rounded end of the 
largest horn and pushed on so as to turn it back within itself and 
carry it on through the vagina, the other hand being used meanwhile 
to assist in the inversion and in pushing the different masses in suc- 
cession within the lips of the vulva. In case of failure, resort should 
be had at once to a plan which I have successfully followed for many 
3'ears. Take a long linen or cotton bandage, 5 or 6 inches wide, and 
wind it around the protruding womb as tightly as it can be drawn, 
beginning at the free end and gradually covering the entire mass up 
to the vulva. By this means the greater part of the blood will be 
forced out of the organ and its bulk greatly reduced, so that its reduc- 
tion is much facilitated. An additional advantage is found in the 
protection given to the womb by its investing bandage while it is 
being pushed forward into the vagina and abdomen. In manipulat- 
ing the exposed womb there is always danger of laceration, but wiien 
the organ is covered with a sheet it is next to impossible to tear it. 
The subsequent manipulation is as in the other case, by pushing the 
blind end forward within itself with the closed fist and carrying this 
on through the vagina into the abdomen with the constant assistance 
of the other hand. It will often be found convenient to use the edge 
of the left hand to push the outer part of the protruding mass inside 
the lips of the vulva, while the right hand and arm are carrying the 
central portions forward through the vagina. An intelligent assist- 
ant, pushing with the palms of both hands on the outer portion of 
the mass, will also afford material assistance. As the womb is turned 
within itself the wrapping bandage will gradually loosen, but once 
the great mass has entered the passages it is easy to compel the rest 
to follow, and the compression by the bandage is no longer so im- 
portant. When the womb is fully replaced the bandage is left in 
its interior in a series of loose folds, and can be easily withdrawn. 
It is well to move the hand from side to side to insure that the two 
horns of the womb are fully extended and on about the same level 
before withdrawing the arm and applying a truss. 

When the womb has been long everted and is gorged with blood, 
inflamed, and friable there is often the additional disadvantage that 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 219 

the animal is unable or unwilling to rise. "SA^ien lying down the 
straining can not be controlled so effectually, and the compression of 
the belly is so great as to prove a serious obstacle to reduction, even 
in the absence of straining. The straining may be checked by 2 or 3 
ounces of laudanum or 2 ounces of chloral hydrate, or by inhalation 
of chloroform to insensibility, and then by raising the hind parts on 
straw bundles the gravitation of the abdominal organs forward may 
be made to lessen the resistance. If success can not be had in this 
way, the cow may be further turned on her back, and if return is still 
impossible, the hind limbs may be tied together and drawn up to a 
beam overhead by the aid of a pulley. In this position, in place of 
the pressure backward of the bowels proving a hindrance, their gravi- 
tation forward proves a most material help to reduction. In seeking 
to return the womb the sponging with ice-cold water, the raising on 
a sheet, and the wrapping in a tight bandage should be resorted 
to. Another method which is especially commendable in these in- 
flamed conditions of the womb is to bring a piece of linen sheet 30 
by 36 inches, under the womb, with its anterior border close up to 
the vulva, then turn the posterior border upward and forward over 
the organ, and cross the two ends over this and over each other above. 
The ends of the sheet are steadily drawn, so as to tighten its hold on 
the womb, which is thus held on the level of the vulva or above, and 
cold water is constantly poured upon the mass. The reduction is 
further sought by compression of the mass with the palms applied 
outside the sheet. Fifteen or twenty minutes are usually sufficient to 
cause the return of the womb, provided straining is prevented by 
pinching of the back or otherwise. 

In old and aggravated cases, with the womb torn, bruised, or even 
gangrenous, the only resort is to amputate the entire mass. This is 
done by tying a strong waxed cord around the protruding mass close 
up to the vulva, winding the cord around pieces of wood, so as to 
draw it as tightly as possible, cutting off the organ below this liga- 
ture, tying a thread on any artery that may still bleed, and returning 
the stump well into the vagina. 

Retention of the returned womb is the next point, and this is most 
easily accomplished by a rope truss. Take two ropes, each about 18 
feet long and an inch in thickness. Double each rope at its middle, 
and lay the one above the other at the bend, so as to form an ovoid of 
about 8 inches in its long diameter. Twist each end of the one rope 
twice around the other, so that this ovoid will remain when they are 
drawn tight. (Pis. XXII and XXIII.) Tie a strap or rope around 
the back part of the neck and a surcingle around the body. Place 
the rope truss on the animal so that the ovoid ring shall surround the 
vulva, the two ascending ropes on the right and left of the tail and 
the two descending ones down inside the thighs on the right and left 



220 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

of the udder. These descending ropes are carried forward on the 
sides of the body and tied to the surcingle and to the neck collar. 
The ascending ropes proceed forward on the middle of the back, 
twisting over each other, and are tied to the surcingle and collar. 
The upper and lower ropes are drawn so tightly that the rope ring 
is made to press firmly all around the vulva without risk of displace- 
ment. This should be worn for several days, until the womb shall 
have closed and all risk of further eversion is at an end. Variations 
of this device are found in the use of a narrow triangle of iron ap- 
plied around the vulva and fixed by a similar arrangement of ropes, 
surcingle, and collar (PI. XXIII, fig. 3), a common crupper simi- 
larly held around the vulva (PI. XXII, fig. 1), stitches through the 
vulva, and wire inserted through the skin on the two hips (PI. 
XXIII, fig. 2), so that they will cross behind the vulva; also pes- 
saries of various kinds inserted in the vagina. None of these, how- 
ever, presents any advantage over the simple and comparatively 
painless rope truss described above. Such additional precautions as 
keeping the cow in a stall higher behind than in front, and seeing 
that the diet is slightly laxative and nonstimulating may be named. 
If straining is persistent, ounce doses of laudanum may be employed 
twice a day, and the same may be injected into the vagina. 

If the womb has been cut off, injections of a solution of a teaspoon- 
ful of carbolic acid in a quart of water should be employed daily, or 
more frequently, until the discharge ceases. 

EVERSION OF THE BLADDER. 

A genuine eversion of the bladder is almost unknown in the cow, 
oAving to the extreme narrowness of its mouth. The protrusion of 
the bladder, however, through a laceration in the floor of the vagina 
sustained in calving, and its subsequent protrusion through the 
vulva, is sometimes met with. In this case the protruding bladder 
contains urine, which can never be the case in a real eversion, in 
which the inner surface of the bladder and the openings of the 
ureters are both exposed outside the vulva. The presence of a bag 
containing water, which is connected with the floor of the vagina, 
will serve to identify this condition. If the position of the bladder 
in the vulva renders it impracticable to pass a catheter to draw oflp 
the urine, pierce the organ with the nozzle of a hypodermic syringe, 
or even a very small trocar and cannula, and draw off the water, when 
it will be found an easy matter to return the bladder to its place. 
The rent in the vagina can be stitched up, but as there would be risk 
in any subsequent calving it is best to prepare the cow for the 
butcher. 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 221 

RUPTURE OF THE BI^VDDER. 

This has been known to occur in protracted parturition when the 
fetus finally passed while the bladder was full. The symptoms are 
those of complete suppression of urine and tenderness of the abdo- 
men, with a steady accumulation of liquid, and fluctuation on 
handling its lower part. If the hand is introduced into the vagina 
it is felt to bfe hot and tender, and perhaps slightly swollen along its 
floor. As a final test, if the lower fluctuating part of the abdomen 
is punctured with a hypodermic needle, a straw-colored liquid of an 
urinous odor flows out. The condition has been considered as past 
hope. The only chance for recovery would be in opening the abdo- 
men, evacuating the liquid, and stitching up the rent in the bladder, 
but at such a season, and with inflammation already started, there 
would be little to hope for, 

RUPTURE OF THE WOMB. 

When the womb has been rendered friable by disease this may 
occur in the course of the labor, but much more frequently it occurs 
from violence sustained in attempting assistance in difficult parturi- 
tion. It is also liable to occur during eversion of the organ through 
efforts to replace it. 

If it hai^pens while the calf is still in the womb, it will usually 
bleed freely and continuously until the fetus has been extracted, so 
that the womb can contract on itself and expel its excess of blood. 
Another danger is that in case of a large rent the calf may escape 
into the cavity of the abdomen and parturition become impossible. 
Still another danger is that of the introduction of septic germs and 
the setting up of a fatal inflammation of the lining membrane of the 
belly (peritoneum). Still another is the escape of the small intes- 
tine through the rent and on through the vagina and vulva, so as to 
protrude externally and receive perhaps fatal injuries. In case of 
rupture before calving, that act should be completed as rapidly and 
carefvdly as possible, the fetal membranes removed and the contrac- 
tion of the womb sought by dashing cold water on the loins, the right 
flank, or the vulva. If the calf has escaped into the abdomen and can 
not be brought through the natural channels it may be permissible 
to fix the animal and extract it through the side, as in the Caesarian 
section. If the laceration has happened during eversion of the womb 
it is usually less redoubtable, because the womb contracts more 
readily under the stimulus of the cold air so recently applied. In 
case the abdomen has been laid open it is well to stitch up the rent, 
but if not it should be left to nature, and will often heal satisfac- 
torily, the cow even breeding successfully in after years. 



222 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

LACERATIONS AND RUPTURES OF THE VAGINA, 

Rupture of the floor of the vagina has been already referred to as 
allowing the protrusion of the bladder. Laceration of the roof of 
this passage is also met with as the result of deviations of the hind 
limbs and feet upward when the calf lies on its back. In some such 
cases the opening passes clear into the rectum, or the foot may even 
pass out through the anus, so that that opening and the ^ailva are 
laid open into one. 

Simple superficial lacerations of the vaginal walls are not usually 
serious, and heal readily unless septic inflammation sets in, in which 
case the cow is likely to perish. They may be treated with soothing 
and antiseptic injections^ such as carbolic acid, 1 dram; water, 1 
quart. 

The more serious injuries depend on the complications. Rupture 
of the anterior part of the canal, close to the mouth of the womb, may 
lead to the introduction of infecting germs into the cavity of the abdo- 
men, or protrusion of the bowel through the rent and externally, 
either of which is likely to prove fatal. If both these conditions are 
escaped the wound may heal spontaneously. Rupture into the blad- 
der may lead to nothing worse than a constant dribbling of the urine 
from the vulva. The cow should be fattened if she survives. Rup- 
ture into the rectum will entail a constant escape of feces through 
the vulva, and, of course, the same condition exists when the anus 
as well has been torn open. I have successfully sewed up an opening 
of this kind in the mare, but in the cow it is probably better to pre- 
pare for the butcher. 

CLOTS or BLOOD IN THE WALLS OF THE VAGINA. 

• During calving the vagina may be bruised so as to cause escape of 
blood beneath the mucous membrane and its coagulation into large 
bulging clots. The vulva may appear swollen, and on separating its 
lips the mucous membrane of the vagina is seen to be raised into 
irregular rounded swellings of a dark-blue or black color, and which 
pit on pressure of the finger. If the accumulation of blood is not 
extensive it may be reabsorbed, but if abundant it may lead to irri- 
tation and dangerous inflammation, and should be incised with a 
lancet and the clots cleared out. The wounds may then be sponged 
twice a day with a lotion made with 1 dram sulphate of zinc, 1 dram 
carbolic acid, and 1 quart water. 

RETAINED AFTERBIRTH. 

The cow, of all our domestic animals, is especially subject to this 
accident. This may be partly accounted for by the finn connections 
established through the fifty to one hundred cotyledons (PI. XIII, 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 223 

fig. 2) in which the fetal membranes dovetail Avith the follicles of the 
womb. It is also most liable to occur after abortion, in which prepara- 
tion has not been made by fatty degeneration for the severance of 
these close connections. In the occurrence of inflammation, causing 
the foi-mation of new tissue between the membranes and the womb, 
we find the occasion of unnaturally firm adhesions which prevent the 
spontaneous detachment of, the membranes. Again, in low conditions 
of health and an imperfect power of contraction we find a potent 
cause of retention, the general debility showing particularly in the 
indisposition of the womb to contract^ after calving, with sufficient 
energy to expel the afterbirth. Hence we find the condition common 
with insufficient or innutrious food, and in years or localities in 
which the fodder has suffered from weather. Ergoted (PI. V), 
smutty, or musty fodder, by causing abortion, is a frequent cause of 
retention. Old cows are more subject than young ones, probably 
because of diminishing vigor. A temporary retention is sometimes 
due to a too rapid closure of the neck of the womb after calving, 
causing strangulation and imprisonment of the membranes. Con- 
ditions favoring this are the drinking of cold (iced) water, the eat- 
ing of cold food (frosted roots), and (through sympathy between 
udder and womb) a too prompt sucking by the calf or milking by 
the attendant. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms of retention of the afterbirth are usu- 
ally only too evident, as the membranes hang from the vulva and rot 
away gradually, causing the most offensive odor throughout the 
building. When retained within the womb by closure of its mouth 
and similarly in cases in which the protruded part has rotted off, the 
decomposition continues and the fetid products escaping by the vulva 
appear in offensively smelling pools on the floor, and mat together the 
hairs near the root of the tail. The septic materials retained in the 
womb cause inflammation of its lining membrane, and this, together 
with the absorption into the blood of the products of putrefaction, 
leads to ill health, emaciation, and drying up of the milk. 

Treatinent. — Treatment will vary according to the conditions. 
AVhen the cow is in low condition, or when retention is connected 
with drinking iced water or eating frozen food, hot drinks and hot 
mashes of wheat bran or other aliment may be all sufficient. If 
along with the above conditions, the bowels are somewhat confined, 
an ounce of ground ginger, or half an ounce of black pepper, given 
with a quart of sweet oil, or 1| pounds of Glauber's salt, the latter 
in at least 4 quarts of warm water, will often prove effectual. A 
bottle or two of flaxseed tea, made by prolonged boiling, should also 
be given at frequent intervals. Other stimulants, like rue, savin, 
laurel, and carminatives like anise, cumin, and coriander are preferred 
by some, but with very questionable reason, the more so that the first 



224 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

tliroe are not M'ithout danger. Ergot of rye, 1 ounce, or extract of 
the same, 1 dram, may be resorted to to induce contraction of the 
M^omb. The mechanical extraction of the membranes is, however, 
often called for; of this there are several methods. The simplest is 
to hang a weight of 1 or 2 pounds to the hanging portion, and allow 
this, by its constant dragging and by its jerking effect when the cow 
moves, to pull the membranes from their attachments and to stimu- 
late the womb to expulsive contractions. But in the neglected cases, 
when the dependent mass is already badly decomposed, it is liable 
to tear across under the added weight, leaving a portion of the 
offensive material imprisoned in the womb. Again, this uncontrolled 
dragging upon a relaxed w^omb will (in exceptional cases only, it is 
true) cause it to become everted and to protrude in this condition 
from the vulva. 

A second resort is to seize the dependent part of the afterbirth 
between two sticks, and roll it up on these until they lie against the 
vulva ; then, by careful traction, accompanied by slight jerking move- 
ments from side to side, the w^omb is stimulated to expulsive contrac- 
tions and the afterbirth is wound up more and more on the sticks 
until finally its last connections with the w^omb are severed and the 
remainder is expelled suddenly en masse. It is quite evident that 
neglected cases with putrid membranes are poor subjects for this 
method, as the afterbirth is liable to tear across, leaving a mass in 
the womb. During the progress of the w^ork any indication of tear- 
ing is the signal to stop and proceed with greater caution or alto- 
gether abandon the attempt in this way. 

The third method (that with the skilled hand) is the most promptly 
and certainly successful. For this the operator had best strip and 
dress as for a parturition case. Again, the operation should be under- 
taken wdthin twenty-four hours after calving, since later the mouth 
of the womb may be so closed that it becomes difficult to introduce 
the hand. The operator should smear his arms wnth carbolized lard 
or vaseline to protect them against infection, and particularly in 
delayed cases Avith putrid membranes. An assistant holds the tail to 
one side while the operator seizes the hanging afterbirth with the left 
hand, while he introduces the right along the right side of the vagina 
and womb, letting the membranes slide through his palm until he 
reaches the first cotyledon to which they remain adherent. In case 
no such connection is within reach, gentle traction is made on the 
membranes with the left hand until the deeper parts of the womb are 
brought within reach and the attachments to the cotyledons can be 
reached. Then the soft projection of the membrane, which is attached 
to the firm fungus-shaped cotyledon on the inner surface of the womb, 
is seized by the little finger, and the other fingers and thumb are 
closed on it so as to tear it out from its connections. To explain this. 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTUEITIOIST. 225 

it is only necessary to say that the projection from the membrane is 
covered by soft conical processes, which are received into cavities 
of a corresponding size on the summit of the firm mushroom-shaped 
cotyledon growing from the inner surface of the Avomb. To draw 
upon the former, therefore, is to extract its soft villous processes 
from within the follicles or cavities of the other. (PI. XIII, fig. 2.) 
If it is at times difficult to start this extraction it may be necessary 
to get the finger nail inserted between the two, and once started the 
finger may be pushed on, lifing all the villi in turn out of their 
cavities. This process of separating the cotyledons must be carefull}' 
conducted, one after another, until the last has been detached and the 
afterbirth comes freely out of the passages. I have never found any 
evil result from the removal of the whole mass at one operation, but 
Shaack mentions the eversion of the womb as the possible result of 
the necessary traction, and in cases in which those in the most distant 
part of the horn of the womb can not be easily reached, he advises 
to attach a cord to the membranes inside the vulva, letting it hang 
out behind, and to cut off the membranes below the cord. Then, after 
two or three days' delay, he extracts the remainder, now softened and 
easily detached. If carefully conducted, so as not to tear the cotyle- 
dons of the womb, the operation is eminently successful; the cow 
suffers little, and the straining roused by the manipulations soon sub- 
sides. Keeping in a quiet, dark place, or driving a short distance at 
a walking pace, will serve to quiet these. ^AHien the membranes 
have been withdrawn, the hand, half closed, may be used to draw 
out of the womb the offensive liquid that has collected. If the case 
is a neglected one, and the discharge is very offensive, the womb must 
be injected as for leucorrhea. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE VAGINA (VAGINITIS). 

This may occur independently of inflammation of the womb, and 
usually as the result of bruises, lacerations, or other injuries sustained 
during calving. It will be shown by swelling of the lips of the vulva, 
which, together with their lining membrane, become of a dark-red or 
leaden hue, and the mucous discharge increases and becomes whitish 
or purulent, and it may be fetid. Slight cases recover spontaneously, 
or under warm fomentations or mild astringent injections (a tea- 
spoonful of carbolic acid in a quart of water), but severe cases may go 
on to the formation of large sores (ulcers), or considerable portions 
of the mucous membrane may die and slough off. Baumeister re- 
cords two cases of diphtheritic vaginitis, the second case in a cow four 
weeks calved, contracted from the first in a newly calved cow. Both 
proved fatal, with formation of false membranes as far as the interior 
of the womb. In all severe cases the antiseptic injections must be 
16923°— 12 15 



226 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

applied most assiduously. The carbolic acid may be increased to 
one-half ounce to a quart, or chlorin water, or peroxid of hydrogen 
solution may be injected at least three times a day. Hyposulphite of 
soda, 1 ounce to a quart of water, is an excellent application, and the 
same amount may be given by the mouth. 

LEUCORRHEA (MUCOPURULENT DISCHARGE FROM THE PASSAGES). 

This is due to a continued or chronic inflammation of the womb, or 
the vagina, or both. It usually results from injuries sustained in calv- 
ing or from irritation by putrid matters in connection with retained 
afterbirth, or from the use of some object in the vagina (pessary) to 
prevent eversion of the womb. Exposure to cold or other cause of 
disturbance of the health may affect an organ so susceptible as this 
at the time of parturition so as to cause inflammation. 

SymptOTThs. — The main symptom is the glairy white discharge flow- 
ing constantly or intermittently (when the cow lies down), soiling the 
tail and matting its hairs and those of the vulva. When the lips of 
the vulva are drawn apart the mucous membrane is seen to be red, 
with minute elevations, or pale and smooth. The health may not 
suffer at first, but if the discharge continues and is putrid the health 
fails, the milk shrinks, and flesh is lost. If the womb is involved the 
hand introduced into the vagina may detect the mouth of the womb 
slightly open and the liquid collected within its caxdty. Examination 
with the oiled hand in the rectum may detect the outline of the womb 
beneath, somewhat enlarged, and fluctuating under the touch from 
contained fluid. In some cases heat is more frequent or intense than 
natural, but the animal rarely conceives when served, and, if she does, 
is likely to abort. 

Treatment. — Treatment with the injections advised for vaginitis is 
successful in mild or recent cases. In obstinate ones stronger solu- 
tions may be used after the womb has been washed out by a stream 
of tepid water until it comes clear. A rubber tube is inserted into 
the womb, a funnel placed in its raised end, and the water, and after- 
wards the solution, poured slowly through this. If the neck of the 
womb is so close that the liquid can not escape, a second tube may 
be inserted to drain it off. As injections may be used chlorid of 
zinc, one half -dram to the quart of water, or sulphate of iron, 1 dram 
to the quart. Three drams of sulphate of iron and one-half ounce 
ground ginger may also be given in the food daily. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB (METRITIS, INFLAMMATION OF WOMB AND 
ABDOMEN, OR METROPERITONITIS). 

Inflammation of the womb may be slight or violent, simple or asso- 
ciated with putrefaction of its liquid contents and general poisoning, 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 227 

or it may extend so that the inflammation affects the lining membrane 
of the whole abdominal cavity. In the last two cases the malady is a 
very grave one. 

Causes. — The causes are largely the same as those causing inflam- 
mation of the vagina. Greater importance must, however, be at- 
tached to exposure to cold and wet and septic infection. 

Sympt07}vs. — The symptoms appear two or three days after calving, 
when the cow may be seen to shiver, or the hair stands erect, espe- 
cially along the spine, and the horns, ears, and limbs are cold. The 
temperature in the rectum is elevated by one or two degrees, the pulse 
is small, hard, and rapid (TO to 100), appetite is lost, rumination 
ceases, and the milk shrinks in quantity or is entirely arrested, and 
the breathing is hurried. The hind limbs may shift uneasily, the tail 
be twisted, the head and eyes turn to the right flank, and the teeth 
are ground. With the flush of heat to the horns and other extremi- 
ties, there is redness of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and usually a dark 
redness about the vulva. Pressure on the right flank gives manifest 
pain, causing moaning or grunting, and the hind limbs are moved 
stiffly, extremely so if the general lining of the abdomen is involved. 
In severe cases the cow lies down and can not be made to rise. There 
is usually marked thirst, the bowels are costive, and dung is passed 
with pain and effort. The hand inserted into the vagina perceives 
the increased heat, and when the neck of the womb is touched the 
cow winces with pain. Examination through the rectum detects 
enlargement and tenderness of the womb. The discharge from the 
vulva is at first w^atery, but becomes thick, yellow, and finally red or 
brown, with a heavy or fetid odor. Some cases recover speedily and 
may be almost well in a couple of days; a large proportion perish 
within two days of the attack, and some merge into the chronic form, 
terminating in leucorrhea. In the worst cases there is local septic 
infection and ulceration, or even gangrene of the parts, or there is 
general septicemia, or the inflammation involving the veins of the 
womb causes coagulation of the blood contained in them, and the 
washing out of the clots to the right heart and lungs leads to blocking 
of the vessels in the latter and complicating pneumonia. Inflamma- 
tions of the womb and passages after calving are always liable to 
these complications, and consequently to a fatal issue. Franck 
records three instaffces of rapidly fatal metritis in cows, all of which 
had been poisoned from an adjacent cow with retained and putrid 
afterbirth. Others have had similar cases. 

Treatment. — Treatment in the slight case§ of simple inflammation 
does not differ much from that adopted for vaginitis, only care must 
be taken that the astringent and antiseptic injections are made to 
penetrate into the womb. After having washed out the womb a solu- 
tion of chlorid of lime or permanganate of potash (one-half ounce to 



228 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

1 quart of water), with an ounce each of glycerin and laudanum to 
render it more soothing, will often answer every purpose. It is 
usually desirable to open the bowels with 1^ pounds Glauber's salt 
and 1 ounce ginger in 4 quarts of warm water and to apply fomenta- 
tions of warm water or even mustard poultices or turpentine to the 
right flank. 

In the violent attacks with high temperature and much prostration, 
besides the salts agents must be given to lower the temperature and 
counteract septic poisoning. Salicylate of soda one-half ounce, or 
quinia 2 drams, repeated every four hours, will help in both ways, or 
ounce doses of hyposulphite of soda or dram doses of carbolic acid 
may be given at equal intervals until six doses have been taken. 
Tincture of aconite has often been used in ^0-drop doses every six 
hours. If the temperature rises to 106° or 107° F., it must be met by 
the direct application of cold or iced water to the surface. The 
animal may be covered with wet sheets and cold water poured on 
these at intervals until the temperature in the rectum is lowered to 
102° F. In summer the cow may be allowed to dry spontaneously, 
while in winter it should be rubbed dry and blanketed. Even in the 
absence of high temperature much good may be obtained from the 
soothing influence of a wet sheet covering the loins and flanks and 
well covered at all points by a dry one. This may be followed next 
day by a free application of mustard and oil of turpentine. When 
the animal shows extreme prostration, alcohol (1 pint) or carbonate 
of ammonia (1 ounce) may be given to tide over the danger, but 
such cases usually perish. 

In this disease, even more than in difficult and protracted parturi- 
tion or retained placenta, the attendants must carefully guard against 
the infection of their hands and arms from the diseased parts. The 
hand and arm before entering the passages should always be well 
smeared Avith lard impregnated with carbolic acid. 

milk fever (parturition fever, parturient apoplexy, or parturient 

collapse). 

This disease is not only peculiar to the cow, but it may be said to 
be virtually confined to the improved and plethoric cow. It further 
occurs only at or near the time of calving. Indeed, these two factors, 
calving and plethora, may be set apart as preeminently the causes of 
this disease. It is the disease of cows that have been improved in 
the direction of early maturity, power of rapid fattening, or a heavy 
yield of milk, and hence it is characteristic of those having great 
appetites and extraordinary power of digestion. The heavy milking 
breeds are especially its victims, as in these the demand for the daily 
yield of 50 to 100 pounds of milk means even more than a daily in- 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 229 

crease of 2 to 3 pounds of body weight, mainly fat. The victims are 
not always fat when attacked, but they are cows having enormous 
powers of digestion, and which have been fed heavily at the time. 
Hence the stall-fed, city dairy cow, and the farm cow^ on a rich clover 
pasture in June or July, are especially subject. The condition of the 
blood globules in the suffering cow attests the extreme richness and 
density of the blood, yet this peculiarity appears to have entirely 
escaped the notice of veterinary writers. I have never examined the 
blood of a victim of this disease without finding the red-blood 
globules reduced to little more than one-half their usual size. Now, 
these globules expand or contract according to the density of the 
liquid in which they float. If we dilute the blood with water they 
will expand until they burst, whereas if solids, such as salt or albu- 
min, are added they shrink to a large extent. Their small size, there- 
fore, in parturition fever indicates the extreme richness of the blood, 
or, in other words, plethora. 

Con-finement in the stall is an accessory cause, partly because stabled 
cattle are highly fed, partly because the air is hotter and fouler, and 
partly because there is no expenditure by exercise of the rich prod- 
ucts of digestion. 

High temperature is conducive to the malady, though the extreme 
colds of winter are no protection against it. Heat, however, conduces 
to fever, and fever means lessened secretion, which means a plethoric 
state of the circulation. The heats of summer are, however, often 
only a coincidence of the real cause, the mature rich pastures, and 
especially the clover ones, being the greater. 

Electrical distu?'ba7ices have an influence of a similar kind, disturb- 
ing the functions of the body and favoring sudden variations in the 
circulation. A succession of cases of the malady often accompany or 
precede a change of weather from dry to wet, from a low to a high 
barometric pressure. 

Costivetiess, which is the usual concomitant of fever, may in a case 
of this kind become an accessory cause, the retention in the blood of 
what should have passed off by the bowels tending to increase the 
fullness of the blood vessels and the density of the blood. 

Mature age is a very strong accessory cause. The disease never 
occurs wdth the first parturition, and rarely with the second. It 
appears with the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth — after the growth of the 
cow has ceased and when all her powers are devoted to the produc- 
tion of milk. 

Calving is an essential condition, as the disturbance of the circula- 
tion consequent on the contraction of the womb and the expulsion 
into the general circulation of the enormous mass of blood hitherto 
circulating in the walls of the womb fills to repletion the vessels of 
the rest of the body and very greatly intensifies the already existing 



230 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

plethora. If this is not speedily counterbalanced by a free secretion 
from the udder, kidneys, bowels, and other excretory organs, the most 
dire results may ensue. Calving may thus be held to be an exciting 
cause, and yet the labor and fatigue of the act are not active factors. 
It is after the easy calving, when there has been little expenditure of 
muscular or nervous energy, and no loss of blood, that this malady is 
seen. Difficult parturitions may be followed by metritis, but they are 
rarely connected with parturition fever. 

All these factors coincide in intensifying the one condition of pleth- 
ora, and point to that as a most essential cause of this affection. It 
is needless to enter here into the much-debated question as to the 
mode in which the plethora brings about the characteristic symptoms 
and results. As the results show disorder or suspension of the nerv- 
ous functions mainly, it may suffice to say that this condition of the 
blood and blood vessels is incompatible with the normal functional 
activity of the nerve centers. How much is due to congestion of the 
brain and how much to bloodlessness may well be debated, yet in a 
closed box like the cranium, in which the absolute contents can not 
be appreciably increased or diminished, it is evident that, apart from 
dropsical effusion or inflammatory exudation, there can only be a 
given amount of blood ; therefore, if one portion of the brain is con- 
gested another must be proportionately bloodless, and as congestion 
of the eyes and head generally, and great heat of the head are most 
prominent features of the disease, congestion of the brain must be 
accepted. This, of course, implies a lack of blood in certain other 
parts or blood vessels. 

The latest developments of treatment indicate very clearly that the 
main cause is the production of poisonous metabolic products (leuco- 
mains and toxins) by secreting cells of the follicles of the udder, act- 
ing on the susceptible nerve centers of the plethoric, calving cow. 
Less fatal examples of udder poisons are found in the first milk (colos- 
trum), which is distinctly irritant and purgative, and in the toxic 
qualities of the first milk drawn from an animal which has been sub- 
jected to violent overexertion or excitement. Still more conclusive as 
to the production of such poisons is the fact that the full distention 
of the milk ducts and follicles, and the consequent driving of the 
blood out of the udder and arrest of the formation of depraved prod- 
ucts, determines a speedy and complete recovery from the disease. 
This does not exclude the other causes above named, nor the influ- 
ence of a reflex nervous derangement proceeding from the udder to 
the brain. 

Symptoms. — There may be said to be two extreme types of this dis- 
ease, with intervening grades. In both forms there is the characteris- 
tic plethora and more or less sudden loss of voluntary movement and 
sensation, indicating a sudden collapse of nervous power ; but in one 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 231 

there is such prominent evidence of congestion of head and brain that 
it may be called the congestive form, par excellence, without thereby 
intimating that the torpid form is independent of congestion. 

In the congestive form there is sudden dullness, languor, hanging 
back in the stall, or drooping the head, uneasy movements of the hind 
limbs or tail ; if the cow is moved, she steps unsteadily, or even stag- 
gers ; she no longer notices her calf or her food ; the eyes appear red 
and their pupils dilated; the weakness increases and the cow lies 
down or falls and is thenceforward unable to rise. At this time the 
pulse is usually full and bounding and the temperature raised, though 
not invariably so; the head, horns, and ears being especially hot and 
the veins of the head full, while the visible mucous membranes of 
nose and eyes are deeply congested. 

The cow may lie on her breastbone with her feet beneath the body 
and her head turned sleepily round, with the nose resting on the right 
flank; or, if worse, she may be stretched full on her side, with even 
the head extended, though at times it is suddenly raised and again 
dashed back on the ground. At such times the legs, fore and hind, 
struggle convulsively, evidently through unconscious nervous spasm. 
By this time the unconsciousness is usually complete; the eyes are 
glazed, their pupils widely dilated, and their lids are not moved when 
the ball of the eye is touched with the finger. Pricking the skin with 
a pin also fails to bring any wincing or other response. The pulse, 
at first from 50 to 70 per minute, becomes more accelerated and 
weaker as the disease advances. The breathing is quickened, becom- 
ing more and more so with the violence of the symptoms, and at first 
associated with moaning (in exceptional cases, bellowing), it may, 
before death, become slow, deep, sighing, or rattling (stertorous). 
The temperature, at first usually raised, tends to become lower as 
stupor and utter insensibility and coma supervene. The bowels, 
which may have moved at the onset of the attack, become torpid or 
completely paralyzed, and, unless in case of improvement, they are 
not likely to operate again. Yet this is the result of paralysis and 
not of induration of the feces, as often shown by the semiliquid 
pultaceous condition of the contents after death. The bladder, too, 
is paralyzed and fails to expel its contents. A free action of either 
bladded or bowels, or of both, is always a favorable symptom. The 
urine contains sugar, in amount proportionate to the severity of the 
attack. 

In nearly all cases the torpor of the digestive organs results in gas- 
tric disorder; the paunch becomes the seat of fermentation, produc- 
ing gas, which causes it to bloat up like a drum. There are frequent 
eructations of gas and liquid and solid food, which, reaching the par- 
alyzed throat, pass in part into the windpipe and cause inflammations 
of the air passages and lungs. 



232 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

In the torpid form of tlie disetise there is much less indication of 
fever or violence. There may be no special heat about the horns, 
ears, or forehead, nor any marked redness or congestion of the eyes 
or nose, nor engorgement of the veins of the head. The attack comes 
on more slowly, with apparent weakness of the hind limbs, dullness, 
drowsiness, suspension of rumination and appetite, and a general 
indifference to surrounding objects. Soon the cow lies down, or falls 
and is unable to rise, but for one or two days she may rest on the 
breastbone and hold the head in the flank without showing any dis- 
orderly movements. Meanwhile there is not only loss of muscular 
power and inability to stand, but also considerable dullness of sensa- 
tion, pricking the skin producing no quick response, and even 
touching the edge of the eyelids causing no very prompt winking. 
Unless she gets relief, however, the case develops all the advanced 
symptoms of the more violent form, and the animal perishes. 

In advanced and fatal cases of either form the insensibility becomes 
complete; no irritation of skin or eye meets any response; the eye 
becomes more dull and glassy ; the head rests on the ground or other 
object; unless prevented the cow lies stretched fully on her side; the 
pulse is small, rapid, and finally imperceptible ; the breathing is slow, 
deep, stertorous, and the expirations accompanied by puffing out of 
the cheeks, and death comes quietly or with accompanying struggles. 

For such fatal disease prevention is of far more consequence than 
treatment. Among the most efficient preventives may be named a 
spare diet (amounting to actual starvation in very plethoric, heavy- 
milking cows) for a week before calving and at least four days after. 
A free access to salt and water is most important, as the salt favors 
drinking and the water serves to dilute the rich and dense blood. 
Iced water, however, is undesirable, as a chill may favor the onset of 
fever. A dose of Epsom salt (1 to 2 pounds) should be given 12 
to 24 hours before calving is due, so that it may operate at 
or just before that act. In case calving has occurred unexpectedly 
in the heavy milker, lose no time in giving the purgative thereafter. 
A most important precaution in the fleshy, plethoric cow, or in one 
that has been attacked at a previous calving, is to avoid drawing 
any milk from the bag for 12 or 24 hours after calving. 
Breeders on the island of Jersey have found that this alone has 
almost abolished the mortality from milk fever. If Epsom salt is 
not at hand use saltpeter (1 ounce) for several days. Daily exer- 
cise is also of importance, and, excepting in midsummer, when the 
heat of the sun may be injurious, the value of open air is unques- 
tionable. Even in summer an open shed or shady grove is incompar- 
ably better than a close, stuffy stall. A rich pasture (clover espe- 
cially), in late May, June, or July, when at its best, is to be carefully 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PAETURITION. 233 

avoided. Better keep the cow indoors on dry straw with plenty of 
salt and water than to have access to such pastures. 

Old treatment. — If the cow is seen before she goes down, the 
abstraction of blood is demanded, and may usually be carried to the 
extent of 4 or even G quarts. The fullness and force of the pulse 
must determine the amount ; if it is weak and rapid or scarcely per- 
ceptible the vein must be instantly closed, and it may even be neces- 
sary to give ammoniacal stimulants. If the- cow is lying down, 
unable to rise, and, above all, if no winking is caused by touching 
the eyeball, bleeding must be done, if at all, with great precaution. 
A pint or a quart may be all that can be safely taken, and in case 
the pulse has been small and weak no more should be drawn unless 
the pulse beat strengthens. The fatal collapse already threatening 
is often precipitated by unguarded bleeding. The jugular vein may 
be opened as coming directly from the brain, and as the object is to 
lessen the density of the blood and the tension in the blood vessels 
without shock, it is not so essential to draw it in a full stream as in 
other cases of bloodletting. As the blood is withdrawn the place is 
speedily taken by liquids (mainly water), absorbed from all avail- 
able parts of the body, and thus the blood is helpfully diluted. 

It is a good practice to give a dose of purgative medicine (Epsom 
salt 2 pounds, carbonat-e of ammonia one-half ounce, nux vomica 
one-half dram). If it is absorbed it will find its way to the bowels 
and start active secretion, thereby relieving the plethoi*a ; if it is not 
absorbed it will do no harm. Enemas of wann water and soap or 
oil may be beneficially employed. 

Iced water or bags of ice to the head (tied around the horns and 
covering the forehead and upper part of the neck) are of the very 
greatest value in cases in which the heat of the horns, ears, and head, 
the redness of the eyes, and fixed dilatation of the pupils are marked 
features. Like bleeding, it may be uncalled for in those cases in 
which the heat and general congestion of the head are absent. 

In these congestive cases, too. benefit is often derived from large 
and frequent doses (20 drops every four hours) of tincture of aconite. 
It acts not alone as a sedative to the heart and circulation, but also by 
favoring a free circulation in the skin. In what may be called the 
Jioncongestive cases it is of little avail. 

Harms claims excellent results from large doses of tatar emetic — 1 
ounce for the first dose, 3 drams more after four hours, and 2 drams 
after four hours. If absorbed it will act after the manner of aconite 
as a sedative by causing a free circulation in the skin. 

This increased circulation in the skin serves to draw away blood 
from the internal organs, and thus to relieve the brain, and to secure 
the same result a variety of resorts are had with varying success in 
different cases. The application of hot (almost scalding) water to 



234 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the back and loins, or to the limbs, acts in this way. So do mustard 
IDlasters, frictions with oil of turpentine, the prolonged movement 
over the part of a hot smoothing iron with a thin cloth between it 
and the skin, or finally the application of strong liquor ammonia, 
covered up for 15 minutes with a close rug. 

In cases with a high body temperature an excellent plan is to wrap 
the whole body in a blanket slightly wrung out of cold water, and 
cover this closely at -all points with dry blankets to exclude the air 
iind prevent evaporation and cooling. In 15 or 20 minutes a reaction 
wall have taken place, the whole body will have been cooled somewhat 
by the blood returning from the skin since the blanket was applied, 
and the free perspiration will now serve to relieve both by cooling 
and by carrying off waste matters from the blood. This may be 
repeated several times a day if the temperature rises again. In cold 
weather the skin should be rubbed dry on each occasion. 

A similar method of drawing off the blood from the brain is by fre- 
quent rubbing of the udder and drawing off the milk. 

In cases of extreme prostration and weak pulse one-half ounce car- 
bonate of ammonia may be given, and repeated at the end of an hour 
or two if needed. It may be given as a roller-formed bolus made 
up with a very little flour to give it consistency, or if the cow can not 
swallow, it may be dissolved in water and poured through a probang 
(PI. Ill, fig. 2), or tube, introduced into the stomach. 

Bloating of the left side (paunch) is a common and dangerous 
complication of the disease, as it at once aggravates the pressure on 
the brain, partly by expression of blood from the abdominal organs 
and partly by nervous action through the vagus and sympathetic 
nerves. It may often be checked by the use of carbonate of ammonia ; 
oi' hyposulphite of soda (one-half ounce) may be substituted, or oil 
of turpentine (1 ounce). In obstinate cases the paunch should be 
punctured in the upper part of the left flank by a trocar and cannula 
(PI. Ill, figs. 5a and 56) and the latter left in place until it is no 
longer needed. 

Another most important precaution is to draw off the urine from 
the bladder several times a day, as a full bladder greatly aggravates 
the case. 

A weak induction current of electricity may be sent through the 
brain for 10 minutes at a time in case of extreme insensibility, and 
through the affected limb in case of remaining paralysis. 

In the torpid or noncongestive form of the disease the treatment is 
the same as regards purgatives, stimulants^ nux vomica, antiseptics 
for bloating, attention to the bladder and udder, counterirritants to 
spine or limbs, and even bleeding. The cold wet sheets and even 
the ice to the head may often be dispensed with. 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION". 235 

One other precaution may be named applicable to all cases, but 
especially so to the more distinctly congestive ones. This is to keep 
the head above the level of the body and prevent injury from the 
striking of it on the gi'ound or other hard body. The cow is to be 
packed up with bundles or bags of straw against the shoulders and 
hips, so as to let her rest on her breast and belly with her limbs 
under her. Then the hea^ and neck are to be similarly supported, 
so as to keep them elevated and give them a soft, yielding cushion if 
dashed from side to side. It may be even desirable to supf)ort the 
head by a rope round the horns, or a halter, the end of which is 
passed over a beam above. 

New treatment. — Treatment of milk fever has been completely 
revolutionized^ with the result that a former mortality of 50 to 70 
per cent has been practically abolished. Formerly the most vigorous 
treatment was practiced by bleeding, purging, the increase of peri- 
stalsis by eserin or pilocarpin, enemas, cold to the head, counterirri- 
tants, aconite, tartar emetic, sponging, wet-sheet packing, etc. The 
gross mortality^ however, was not materially reduced, and nearly all 
that were attacked within the first two days after calving perished. 

The first step in the modem treatment was made in 1897, when 
J. Schmidt published his successful treatment by the injection of the 
teats and milk ducts with a solution of iodid of potassium ( 1^ drams 
to 1 quart of water). This reduced the mortality to 17 per cent. 
Others followed this lead by the injection of other antiseptics (lysol, 
creolin, creosol, chinosol, common salt, etherized air, oxygen). 
These succeeded as well as the iodid solution. With the injection 
of gases, however, a fuller distention of the udder was usually 
secured, and virtually every case recovered. This suggested the full 
distention of the udder with common atmospheric air filtered and 
sterilized, and this with the most perfect success. With sterile air 
Schmidt-Kolding claimed 96.7 per cent recoveries in 914 cases. In 
America the full distention of the udder^ whether with oxygen or fil- 
tered air, has proved invariably successful in all kinds of cases, in- 
cluding the violent ones that set in within a few hours after calving. 
In 1 or 2 hours after the injection the cow has got up, had free 
passages from the bowels and bladder, bright expression of counte- 
nance, and some return of appetite. In my cases which had made no 
response for 8 hours to the iodid injection, the injection of the 
udder to full repletion with the gas (oxygen or air) has had im- 
mediately beneficial results. 

A similar full distention of the bag with a common-salt solution 
(0.5 to 100), or even with well-boiled water, is equally effective, but 
in these cases the weight of the liquid causes dragging upon the udder 
and a measure of discomfort which is escaped under the treatment 
with gas. The value of each method depends on the fullness of dis- 



236 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

tention of the udder and the arrest in larger part of the circulation 
and chemical changes in its tissues. This distention acts like magic, 
and seems hardly to admit of failure in securing a successful outcome. 

It can not, however, be recommended as absolutely devoid of 
dangers and serious complications. To get the best results, it should 
be applied only by one who has been trained in the careful antiseptic 
methods of the bacteriological laboratory. Some readers will recall 
the case of the injection of the udders of show cows at Toronto to 
impose upon the judges. The cows treated in this way had the udders 
infected and ruined, and several lost their lives. There is no better 
culture medium for septic and other germs than the first milk (colos- 
trum) charged with albumin and retained in the warm udder. 
Already in the hands of veterinarians even the Schmidt treatment 
has produced a small proportion of cases of infective mammitis. 
How many more such cases will develop if this treatment shall be- 
come a popular domestic resort, applied by the dairyman himself in 
all sorts of surroundings and with little or no antiseptic precautions? 
But even then the losses will by no means approach the past mor- 
tality of 50 to 70 per cent, so that the ecenomy will be immeasurable 
under even the worst conditions. A fair test and judgment of this 
treatment, however, can be obtained only when the administrator 
is a trustworthy and painstaking man, well acquainted with bacterio- 
logical antisepsis and with the general and special pathology of the 
bovine animal. 

The necessary precautions may be summarized as follows: 

(1) Provide an elastic rubber ball and tubes, furnished with valves 
to direct the current of air, as in a common Davidson syringe. 

(2) Fill the delivery tube for a short distance with cotton, steril- 
ized by prolonged heating in a water bath. 

(3) In the free end of the delivery tube fit a milking tube to be 
inserted into the teat. 

(4) Sterilize this entire apparatus by boiling for 30 minutes, 
and, without touching the milking tube, wrap it in a towel that has 
been sterilized in a water bath or in live steam and dried. 

(5) Avoid drawing any milk from the teats; wash them and the 
udder thoroughly with warm soapsuds; rinse oif with well-boiled and 
cooled water, and apply to the teats, and especially to their tips, a 5 
per cent solution of creolin or lysol, taking care that the teats are not 
nllowed to touch any other body from the time they are cleansed 
until the teat tube is inserted. It is well to rest the cleansed and dis- 
infected udder on a sterilized pad of cotton or a boiled towel. 

(6) The injecting apparatus is unwrapped, the teat tube, seized by 
its attached end and kept from contact with any other body, is in- 
serted into the teat, while an assistant working the rubber pump fills 
the quarter as full as it will hold. The tube is now withdrawn and a 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 237 

broad tape is tied around the free end of the teat to prevent escape of 
the air. 

(7) The teat tube, which has been carefully preserved from possible 
contact with other bodies, is dipped in the creolin solution and in- 
serted in a second teat, and the second quarter is inflated, and so with 
the third and fourth. 

(8) The recumbent cow is kept resting on her breast bone, with the 
head elevated, even if it should be necessary to pack her around with 
straw bundles or to suspend the head by a halter. Lying on her side, 
she is liable to develop fatal bloating and to have belching of gas 
and liquids, which, passing down the windpipe, cause fatal broncho- 
pneumonia. 

(9) If in 2 hours the cow has not got on her feet, if there is no 
brighter or more intelligent expression, if she has passed no manure 
or urine, and if the air has become absorbed, leaving the udder less 
tense, the injection of the bag may be repeated, under the same scru- 
pulous and rigid precautions as at first. In all cases, but especially 
in severe ones, it is well to keep watch of the patient, and repeat the 
distention on the first indication of relapse. Should there not be a 
free discharge of feces and urine after rising, indicating a natural 
resumption of the nervous functions, the case should be all the more 
carefully watched, so that the treatment may be repeated if necessary. 

Accessory treatment may still be employed, but is rarely necessary. 
A dose of purgative medicine (1^ pounds Epsom salt) in warm 
water may be given in the early stages, while as yet there is no danger 
of its passing into the lungs through paralysis of the throat. Eserin 
or pilocarpin (1^ grains) may be given under the skin to stimulate 
the movements of the bowels. Sponging of the skin, and especially 
of the udder, with cool Avater may be resorted to in hot weather. 

Bloating may demand puncture of the paunch, in the left flank, 
with a cannula and trocar, the evacuation of the gas, and the intro- 
duction through the tube of a tablespoonf ul of strong liquid ammonia 
in a quart of cold water or other antiferment. 

The economic value of the new treatment of milk fever is enor- 
mous. The United States has over 16,000,000 milch cows. If we 
could raise the quality of these by preserving and propagating the 
highest, heaviest, and richest milkers, in place of losing the best by 
milk fever, as in the past, and if we could thus secure an average 
increase of 10 quarts a day, the proceeds at 1^ cents a quart would 
reach $250,000,000 a year. " 

PALSY AFTER CALVING (DROPPING AFTER CALVING). 

This consists in a more or less complete loss of control of the hind 
limbs occurring after calving, and due either to low condition, weak- 
ness, and exposure to cold or to injurious compression of the nerves 



238 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

of the hind lunbs by a large calf passing through the pelvis. Its 
symptoms do not differ from those of palsy of the hind limbs, occur- 
ring at other times, and it may be treated in the same way, excepting 
so far as bruises of the vagina may demand special smoothing treat- 
ment. 

CONGESTION OF THE UDDER (gARGET). 

In heavy milkers, before and just after calving, it is the rule that 
the mammary gland is enlarged, hot, tense and tender, and that a 
slight exudation or pasty swelling extends forward from the gland 
on the lower surface of the abdomen. This physiological congestion 
is looked upon as a matter of course, and disappears in two or three 
days when the secretion of milk has been fully established. This 
breaking up of the bag may be greatly hastened by the sucking of a 
hungry calf and the kneading it gives the udder with its nose, by 
stripping the glands clean thrice daily, and by active rubbing at each 
milking with the palm of the hand, with or without lard or, better, 
with camphorated ointment. 

The congestion may be at times aggravated by standing in a draft 
of cold air or by neglect to milk for an entire day or more (over- 
stocking, hefting) with the view of making a great show of udder 
for purposes of sale. In such cases the surface of the bag pits on 
pressure, and the milk has a reddish tinge or even streaks of blood, 
or it is partially or fully clotted and is drawn with difficulty, mixed, 
it may be, with a yellowish serum (whey) which has separated from 
the casein. This should be treated like the above, though it may 
sometimes demand fomentations with warm water to ward off in- 
flammation, and it may be a week before the natural condition of the 
gland is restored. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE UDDER ( SIMPLE MAMMITTS). 

Congestion may merge into active inflammation, or it may arise 
direct, in connection with exposure to cold or wet, with standing in a 
cold draft, with blows on the udder with clubs, stones, horns, or feet, 
with injury from a sharp or cold stone, or the projecting edge of a 
board or end of a nail in the floor, with sudden and extreme changes 
of weather, with overfeeding on rich albuminous food like cotton 
seed, beans, or peas, with indigestions, with sores on the teats, or 
with insufficient stripping of the udder in milking. In the period 
of full milk the organ is so susceptible that anj' serious disturbance 
of the general healt-h is liable to fall upon the udder. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms and mode of onset var\^ in different 
cases. When following exposure there is usually a violent shivering 
fit, with cold horns, ears, tail, and limbs, and general erection of the 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 239 

hair. This is succeeded by a flush of heat (reaction) in which the 
horns, ears, and limbs become unnaturally warm and the gland swells 
up and becomes finn and solid in one, two, three, or all four quarters. 
There is hot, dry muzzle, elevated temperature, full accelerated pulse, 
and excited breathing, impaired or suspended appetite, and rumina- 
tion with more or less costiveness, suppression of urine, and a lessened 
yield of milk, which may, be entirely suppressed in the affected 
quarter. 

In other cases the shivering escapes notice, the general disorder of 
the system is little marked or comes on late, and the first observed 
sign of illness is the firm swelling, heat, and tenderness of the bag. 
As the inflammation increases and extends, the hot, tender udder 
causes the animal to straddle wath its hind limbs, and when walking 
to halt on the limb on that side. If the cow lies down it is on the 
unaffected side. With the increase in intensity and the extension of 
the inflammation the general fever manifests itself more prominently. 
In some instances the connective tissue beneath the skin and be- 
tween the lobules of the gland is affected, and then the swelling is 
uniformly rounded and of nearly the same consistency, pitting everj^- 
where on pressure. In other cases it primarily attacks the secreting 
tissue of the gland, and then the swelling is more localized and 
appears as hard, nodular masses in the interior of the gland. This 
last is the usual form of inflammation occurring from infection enter- 
ing by the teats. 

In all cases, but especially in the last-named form, the milk is sup- 
pressed and replaced by a watery fluid colored with blood (some- 
times deeply) and mingled with masses of clotted casein. Later it 
becomes white and punilent, and in many cases of an offensive odor. 

The course of the disease is sometimes so rapid and at others so 
slow that no definite rule can be laid down. In two or three days, or 
from that to the end of the week, the bag may soften^ lose its heat and 
tenderness, and subside into the healthy condition, even resuming the 
secretion of milk. The longer the inflammatory hardness continues 
the greater the probability that its complete restoration will not be 
effected. When a portion of the gland fails to be restored in this 
way, and has its secretion arrested, it usually shrinks to a smaller 
size. More commonly a greater amount of the inflammatory product 
remains in the gland and develops into a solid fibrous mass, causing 
permanent hardening (induration). In other cases, in place of the 
product of inflammation developing into a fibrous mass, it softens and 
breaks down into the white creamy liquid pus (abscess). This abscess 
may make its way to the surface and escape externally, or it may 
burst into a milk duct and discharge through the teat. It may break 
into both and establish a channel for the escape of milk (fistula). In 
the worst types of the disease gangrene may ensue, a quarter or half 



240 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

or even the whole udder, losing its vitality, and sloughing off if the 
cow can bear up against the depressing influence. These gangrenous 
cases are probably always the result of infection and sometimes run 
a very rapidly fatal course. I recall one to which I was called as 
soon as the owner noticed it, yet I found one-quarter dark blue, cold, 
and showing a tendency to the formation of blebs containing a bloody 
secretion. The cow, which had waded through a depth of semiliquid 
manure to reach her stall, died within 24 hours. 

Treatment. — Treatment will A^ary with the type and the stage of the 
disease. If the case is seen in the shivering fit, every effort should 
be made to cut that short, as the inflammation may be thereby greatly 
moderated, if not checked. Copious drinks of warm water thrown in 
from horn or bottle; equally copious warm injections; the application 
of heat in some form to the surface of the body (by a rug wning out 
of hot water ; by hanging over the black and loins bags loosely filled 
with bran, sand, salt, chaff, or other agent previously heated in a 
stove ; by the use of a flatiron or the warming of the surface by a hot- 
air bath), or by active friction with straw wisps by two or more 
persons ; the administration of a pint of strong alcoholic liquor, or of 
1 ounce of ground ginger, may serve to cut short the attack. After 
half an hour's sweat rub dry and cover with a dry blanket. 

If, on the other hand, there is little or no fever, and only a slight 
inflammation, rub well with camphorated ointment or a weak iodin 
ointment, and milk three, four, or six times a day, rubbing the bag 
thoroughly each time. Milking must be done with great gentleness, 
squeezing the teat in place of pulling and stripping it, and if this 
causes too much pain, the teat tube (PI. XXIV, fig. 4) or the spring 
teat dilator (PI. XXIV, fig. 3) may be employed. Antiseptic injec- 
tions of the teats and udder are often useful, and iodoform in water 
has been especially recommended. It may be replaced by one of the 
injections advised for parturition fever, used with the same careful 
precautions. 

In cases in which the fever has set in and the inflammation is more 
advanced, a dose of laxative medicine is desirable (Epsom salt, 1 to 2 
pounds; ginger, 1 ounce), which may be followed, after the purging 
has ceased, by daily doses of saltpeter, 1 ounce. Many rely on cooling 
and astringent applications to the inflamed quarter (vinegar, sugar- 
of-lead lotion, cold water, ice, etc.), but a safer and better resort is 
continued fomentation with warm water. A bucket of warm water, 
replenished as it cools, may be set beneath the udder, and two persons 
can raise a rug out of this and hold it against the udder, dipping it 
anew whenever the heat is somewhat lost. Or a sheet may be passed 
around the body, with four holes cut for the teats and soft rags 
packed between it and the udder, and kept wanu by pouring on water 
as warm as the hands can bear every 10 or 15 minutes. When this has 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTUEITION. 241 

been kept up for an hour or two, the bag may be dried, well nibbed 
with soapj and left thus with a soapy coating. If the pain is great, 
extract of belladonna may be applied along with the soap, and a dry 
suspensory bandage with holes for the teats may be applied. Strong 
mercurial ointment is very useful in relieving pain and softening the 
bag. This is especially valuable when the disease is protracted and 
induration threatens. It inay be mixed with an equal amount of 
soap and half the amount of extract of belladonna. In cases of threat- 
ened induration excellent results are sometimes obtained from a 
weak induction current of electricity sent through the gland daily for 
10 minutes. 

If ccbscess threatens, it may be favored by fomentation and opened 
as soon as fluctuation from finger to finger shows the formation of 
matter at a point formerly hard. The Avound may bleed freely, and 
there is a risk of opening a milk duct, yet relief will be secured ; and 
a dressing twice daily with a lotion of carbolic acid 1 part, water 20 
l^arts, and glycerin 1 part will suffice to keep the wound clean and 
healthy. 

GangTene of the affected part is often fatal. It demands antisep- 
tics (chlorid of zinc, 1 dram to 1 quart water) applied frequently to 
the part, or, if the case can not be attended, smear the affected quar- 
ter with melted Venice turpentine, or even wood tar. Antiseptic 
tonics (tincture of muriate of iron, 4 drams) may also be given four 
times daily in a quart of water. 

^ CONTAGIOUS MAMMITIS (CONTAGIOUS INFLAMMATION OF THE UDDEr). 

As stated in the last article, that form of inflammation of the udder 
which attacks the gland ducts and follicles, causing deep-seated, hard, 
nodular swellings, is often contagious. Franck has demonstrated 
this by injecting into the milk ducts in different cows (milking and 
dry) the pus from the bags of cows affected with mammitis, or the 
liquids of putrid flesh, or putrid blood, and in every case he produced 
acute inflammation of the gland tissue within twenty-four hours. 
He thinks that in ordinary conditions the septic germ gains access by 
propagating itself through the milk, filling the milk canal and oozing 
from the external orifice. He points to this as a reason why dry cows 
escape the malady, though mingling freely with the sufferers, and 
why such dry cows do not suffer from inflammation of the gland tissue 
when attacked with foot-and-mouth disease. In this last case it is 
evident that it is not simply the inoculation with the milker's hand 
that is lacking, for the skin of the bag is attacked, but not its secret- 
ing glandular parts. Now that in any case of abscess we look for the 
cause in the chain forms of globular bacteria {Streptococcus py- 
ogenes)^ in the cluster form of white globular bacteria {Staphylococ- 
16923°— 12 16 



242 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

c'us pyogenes alhtts), and in the golden and citron-yellow forms of 
clustered globular bacteria {Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus and 
Staphylococcus pyogenes citreus), the formation of pus gives pre- 
sumptive evidence of the action of one or more of these germs. So in 
cases of mortification of the bag ; in the very occurrence there is fair 
circumstantial evidence of the presence of erysipelas micrococcus or 
other germ which kills the local tissues. Again, in tuberculosis 
affecting the bag (a not uncommon condition), the active local cause 
is without doubt the tubercle bacillus. 

It has been found that false membranes have formed in certain 
cases of mammitis in the cow, and Klein, after inoculating the diph- 
theria of man on the cow, found an ulcerous sore in the seat of inoc- 
ulation and blisters on the teats and udder, in which he found what 
he believed to be the bacillus of diphtheria. The results are doubt- 
ful, even in the absence of false membranes. Loffler, too, in the 
diphtheria of calves, found that the germ was more delicate and 
longer than that of man, and that its pathogenesis for rodents was 
less, guinea pigs having only a nonfatal abscess. The presence of 
false membranes in one form of manunitis in cows does not neces- 
sarily imply its communicability to man. 

It has been claimed that scarlet fever has been transmitted from 
the cow to man, and it can not be denied that in many cases the infec- 
tion has been disseminated through the milk. The facts, however, 
when brought out fully have shown that in almost every case the 
milk had first come in contact with a person suffering or recovering 
from scarlet fever, so that the milk was infected after it left the cow. 
The alleged exceptional cases at Hendon and Dover, England, are 
not conclusive. In the Hendon outbreak inoculations were made on 
calves from the slight eruption on the cow's teats, and they had a 
slight eruption on the lips and a form of inflammation of the kidneys, 
which Dr. Klein thought resembled that of scarlatina. The cows that 
had brought the disease to the Hendon dairies were traced back to 
Wiltshire, and cows were found there suffering from a similar malady, 
but there was no sign of scarlet fever resulting. In the Dover out- 
break the dairyman first denied any disease in his cows, and brought 
a certificate of a veterinarian to prove that they were sound at the 
time of the investigation ; then later he confessed that the cows had had 
foot-and-mouth disease, and consequent eruption on the teats some 
time before. So the question remains whether the man who denied 
sickness in the cows to begin with, and adduced professional evidence 
of this, did not later acknowledge the foot-and-mouth disease as a 
blind to hide the real source of the trouble in scarlatina in his own 
family or the family of an employee. 

In America Dr. Stickler claimed that he had produced scarlatina 
in children by inoculation with imported virus of foot-and-mouth dis- 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTUEITION. 243 

ease, but his contention is negatived by the facts that with foot-and- 
mouth disease constantly present in Europe scarlatina does not ac- 
company it, and that in America, with scarlatina constantly prevail- 
ing at some point, foot-and-mouth disease is unknown except at long 
intervals locally and as the result of the importation of infected ani- 
mals or their products. Man is susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, 
but this never appears during the frequent epidemics of scarlatina. 

Among other contagious forms of mammitis I may name one which 
I have encountered in large dairies, starting as a sore and slight 
swelling at the oi^ening of the teat and extending up along the milk 
duct to the gland structure in the bag, all of which become indurated, 
nodular, and painful. The milk is entirely suppressed in that quarter 
of the bag, and from that it may extend to the others as it does from 
cow to cow through the milker's hands. 

Another form almost universally prevalent in this district of cen- 
tral New York in 1889 broke out over the teats and udder as blisters 
strongly resembling cowpox, but which were not propagated when 
inoculated on calves. It was only exceptionally that this extended 
through the teat to the gland tissue, yet in some instances the bag 
was lost from this cause. Scarlatina in man was very prevalent at 
the time (many schools were closed in consequence), but- no definite 
connection seemed to exist between this and the cow disease, and on 
different dairy farms there were families of young children that had 
never had scarlet fever and who did not at that time contract it. 

The most common cause of contagious mammitis in cattle is a 
spherical bacteriimi in chain form {Streptococcus) (Moore, Ward). 
Yet it is clear that contagious mammitis is not a single affection, but 
a group of diseases which have this in common, that they attack the 
udder. 

Prevention. — Prevention is to be especially sought in all such cases. 
In purchasing new cows see that they come from a herd where the 
teats and udder are sound. If a new cow with unknown antecedents 
comes from a public market, let her be milked for a week by a person 
who does not milk any other cows. Keep her in a separate stall from 
others, so that there may be no infection from litter or flooring. 
Wash the udder with soap and water, and wet with a solution of two 
teaspoonfuls carbolic acid in a pint of water before letting the regular 
milker of the other cows take her. If any cow in the herd shows the 
indurated end of the teat or the inflammation and nodular tender 
character of the gland, separate her at once and give her a separate 
milker. If another cow is to be put into the stall she occupied, first 
clean and scrape it, and wet it with a strong solution of bluestone, 
5 ounces in a gallon of water. The milk may be drawn off with a 
teat tube, or spring teat dilator (PI. XXIV, figs. 3 and 4), and the 
milk ducts injected frequently with a solution of peroxid of hydro- 



244 DISEASES OF CATTLE, 

gen or iodoform. I have had little success in checking the upward 
progress of the disease through the teat with carbolic acid or boracic 
acid solutions. Used on the outside of the other teats, however, 
these may serve to prevent them from becoming infected. In the 
absence of peroxid of hydrogen the affected teat may be injected 
with a solution of 1 grain corrosive sublimate in a pint of watei', 
and the same may be used on the other teats, provided it is washed 
off every time before milking. 

As additional precautions, no cow with a retained afterbirth or 
unhealthy discharge from the womb should be left with the other 
cows. Such cows doubtless infect their own udders and those of the 
cows next them by lashing with the soiled tail. If milkers handle 
retained afterbirth or vaginal discharge, or unhealthy wounds, or 
assist in a difficult and protracted parturition, they should wash the 
hands and arms thoroughly with soap and warm water and then rub 
them with the corrosive sublimate solution, or if not, at least with 
one of' carbolic acid. Clothes stained with such offensive products 
should be washed. 

The general treatment of contagious mammitis does not differ from 
that of the simple fonn, except that antiseptics should be given by 
the mouth as well as applied locally (hyposulphite of soda, one-half 
ounce daily). 

COWPOX. 

This is another form of contagious inflammation of the udder wliich 
does not spread readily from animal to animal except by the hands 
of the milker. It is held to occur spontaneously in the cow, but this 
is altogether improbable, and so-called spontaneous cases are rather 
to be looked on as instances in which the germs have been preserved 
dry in the buildings or introduced in some unknown manner. It is 
not uncommon in the horse, attacking the heels, the lips, or some 
other inoculated part of the body, and is then easily transferred to 
the cow, if the same man grooms and dresses the horse and milks the 
cow. It may also appear in the cow by infection, more or less direct, 
from a person who has been successfully vaccinated. Many believe 
that it is only a form of the smallpox of man modified by passing 
through the system of cow or horse. It is. however, unreasonable to 
suppose that this alleged modified smallpox could have been trans- 
mitted from child to child (the most susceptible of the human race) 
for 90 years, under all possible conditions, without once reverting 
to its original type of smallpox. Chauveau's experiments on both 
cattle and horses with the virus of smallpox and its inoculation back 
on the human subject go far to show that in the climate of western 
Europe, at least, no such transformation takes place. Smallpox 
remains smallpox and cowpox, cowpox. Again, smallpox is com- 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTUEITION. 245 

municable to a person who visits the patient in his room but avoids 
touching him, while cowpox is never thus transferred through the air 
unless deliberately diffused in the form of spray. The demonstration 
of a protozoan germ in smallpox implies a similar microbe in cowpox. 
The disease in the cow is ushered in by a slight fever, which, how- 
ever, is usually overlooked, and the first sign is tenderness of the 
teats. Examined, these may be redder and hotter than normal, and 
at the end of two days there appear little nodules, like small peas, of 
a pale-red color, and increasing so that they may measure three- 
fourths of an inch to 1 inch in diameter by the seventh day. The 
yield of milk diminishes, and when heated it coagulates slightly. 
From the seventh to the tenth daj^ the eruption forms into a blister 
with a depression in the center and raised margins, and from which 
the whole of the liquid can not be drawn out by a single puncture. 
The blister, in other words, is chambered, and each chamber must be 
opened to evacuate the whole of the contents. If the pock forms on 
"a surface wdiere there is thick hair, it does not rise as a blister, but 
oozes out a straw-colored fluid which concretes on the hairs in an 
amber-colored mass. In one or two days after the pock is full it 
becomes j^ellow from contained pus, and then dries into a brownish- 
yellow scab, which finally falls, leaving one or more distinct pits in 
the skin. Upon the teats, however, this regular course is rarely seen; 
the vesicles are burst by the hands of the milker as soon as liquid is 
formed, and as they continue to sujffer at each milking they form 
raw, angry sores, scabbing more or less at intervals, but slow to 
undergo healing. 

The only treatment required is to heal the sores ; and as milking is 
the main cause of their persistence, that must be done as gently as 
possible, or even with the teat tube or dilator. (PI. XXIV, figs. 3 
and 4.) It is essential to check the propagation of the germ, and for 
this purpose the sore teats may be w^ashed frequently with a solution 
of half an ounce hyposulphite of soda in a pint of water. This will 
usually check the inflammation and cut short the malady. 

SUPPRESSION OF MILK. 

The absence of milk in the udder may result from ill health, 
debility, emaciation, chronic disease of the bag, wasting of the gland 
from previous disease, or insufficient food, but sometimes it will occur 
suddenly without any appreciable cause. The treatment will consist 
in removing the cause of the disease, feeding well on rich albuminoid 
food made into warm mashes, and giving ounce doses of aromatic 
carminatives, like anise seed, fennel seed. etc. Rubbing and strip- 
ping the udder are useful ; and the application of oil of lavender or 
of turpentine, or even a blister of Spanish flies, will sometimes 
succeed. 



246 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

BLOODY iVtlLK. 

Blood may escape with the milk when the udder has been injured 
by blows, also when it is congested or inflamed, when the circulation 
through it has been suddenly increased by richer and more abundant 
food, or when the cow is under the excitement of heat. The milk 
frothing up and assuming a pink tinge is often the first sign of red 
water, and it may result from eating acrid or irritant plants, like the 
Ranunculacese, resinous plants, etc. Deposits of tubercle or tumors 
in the udder, or induration of the gland, may be efficient causes, the 
irritation caused by milking contributing to draw the blood. Finally, 
there may be a reddish tinge or sediment when madder or logwood 
has been eaten. 

In milk which becomes red after it is drawn it may be due to the 
presence in it of the Micrococcus prodigiosus. This also grows on 
bread, and is the explanation of the supposed miracle of the " bleed- 
ing host." 

The treatment will vary with the cause. In congested glands give 
1 pound of Epsom salt, and daily thereafter one-half ounce salt- 
peter, with a dram of chlorate of potash ; bathe th« bag with hot or 
cold water, and rub with camphorated lard. If the food is too rich 
or abundant it must be reduced. If from acrid plants, these must be 
removed from pasture or fodder. Induration of the udder may be 
met by rubbing with a combination of iodin ointment 1 part, soft 
soap two parts; or mercurial ointment and soap may be used. Care- 
ful milking is imperative. 

BLUE MILK. 

Watery milk is blue, but the prasence of a germ {Bacillus cya- 
nogenes) causes a distinct blue shade even in rich milk and cream. It 
may reach the milk after it has been drawn, or it may find its way 
into the opening of the milk ducts and enter the milk as it is drawn. 
In the latter case frequent milking and the injection into the teats 
of a solution of 2 drams of hyposulphite of soda in a pint of water 
will serve to destroy them. 

STRINGY MILK. 

This may be caused by fungi developing in i\\& liquid, and that the 
spores are present in the system of the cow may be safely inferred 
from the fact that in a large herd two or three cows only will yield 
such milk at a time, and that after a run of 10 days or a fortnight 
they will recover and others will be attacked. I have found that 
such affected cows had the temperature raised one or two degrees 
above the others. Like most other fungi this does not grow out into 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 247 

filaments within the body of the cow, but in fi^■e or six hours after 
milking the surface layers are found to be one dense network of fila- 
ments. If a needle is dipped in this and lifted the liquid is drawn 
out into a long thread. In one case which I investigated near 
Ithaca, N. Y., the contamination was manifestly due to a spring 
which oozed out of a bank of black muck soil and stood in pools 
mixed with the dejections, of the animals. Inoculation of pure milk 
with the water as it flowed out of this bank developed in it the 
fungus and the stringy characters. By fencing in this spring and 
giving the affected cows each 2 drams bisulphite of soda daily, the 
trouble was arrested promptly and permanently. 

CHAPPED TEATS. 

These may be caused by anything which imtates them. The power- 
ful sucking of the calf; the sudden chilling of the teat in winter after 
the calf has just let it go or after the completion of milking with a 
wet hand ; contact with cold water, or stagnant putrid water, or with 
filth or irritants when lying down; slight congestions of the skin in 
connection with overstocking; and, indeed, any source of local irrita- 
tion may cause chapping. This may be slight or extend into great 
gaping sores and induce retention of milk or even mammitis. Sooth- 
ing applications of vaseline, or a combination of equal parts of sper- 
maceti and oil of sweet almonds may be applied. If healing is tardy, 
add 10 grains balsam of Peru to the ounce of ointment. If the irri- 
tation is very great, wash first with a solution of 1 dram sugar of lead 
"*n 1 pint of water, and then apply benzoated oxid^ of zinc ointment. 

WARTS ON THE TEATS. 

These are often very troublesome, yet they may be greatly benefited 
or entirely removed by smearing them thickly after each milking with 
pure olive oil. If they persist they may be cut off with a sharp pair 
of scissors and the sore touched with a stick of lunar caustic. They 
may now be oiled and the caustic repeated as demanded to prevent 
their renewed growth. 

Scabby teats may be smeared with vaseline containing enough car- 
bolic acid to give it an odor. 

TEAT BLOCKED BY CONCRETION OF CASEIN, 

Under unhealthy conditions of the gland or milk ducts, clots of 
casein form, and these, pressed clear of most of their liquid and rolled 
into rounded masses, may block the passage. They can be moved up 
and down by manipulation of the teat, and if they can not be pressed 
out they may be extracted by using the spring teat dilator (PI. XXIV, 



248 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

fig, 3), being held surrounded by its three limbs. Before extraction 
is attempted an ounce of almond oil, previously boiled, should be 
injected into the teat. 

TEAT BLOCKED BY CALCULUS. 

When the calcareous matter of the milk has been precipitated in 
the form of a smooth, rounded stone, a rough conglomerated concre- 
tion, or a fine, sandlike debris, it may cause obstruction and invita- 
tion. These bodies are felt to be much harder than those formed by 
casein, and the milk usually contains gritty particles. Extraction 
may be attempted by simple milking in the case of the finely divided 
gritty matter, or with the spring dilator (PI. XXIV, fig. 3) in the case 
of the larger masses. Should this fail the teat may be laid open with 
the knife and sewed up again or closed with collodion, but such an 
operation is best deferred until the cow is dry. 

TEAT BLOCKED BY A WARTY OR OTHER GROWTH INSIDE. 

In this case the obstruction may be near the orifice of the teat or 
higher up, and the solid mass is not movable up and down Avirh the 
same freedom as are concretions and calculi. The movement is lim- 
ited by the elasticity of the inner membrane of the teat from which it 
grows, and is somewhat freer in certain cases because the groAvth has 
become loose and hangs by a narrow neck. In the case of the looser 
growths they may be snared by a fine spring wire passed as a loop 
through a fine tube (like a teat tube open at each end) and introduced 
into the teat. \^Tien this can not be done, the only resort is to cut 
in and excise it while the cow is dry. 

THICKENING OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANE AND CLOSURE OF THE MILK 

DUCT. 

As a result of inflammation extending from without inward, a 
gradual narrowing of the milk duct may occur from thickening and 
narrowing of its lining membrane. This may be limited to a small 
area near the lower end, or it may extend through the whole length 
of the teat. The stream of milk becomes finer and finer until it 
finally ceases altogether, and a firai cord is felt running through the 
teat. If the constriction is only at the outlet, the teat may be seized 
and distended by pressing the milk down into it from above, and an 
incision may be made with a sharp penknife in two directions at right 
angles to each other and directly in the original opening. The knife 
should be first cleansed in boiling water. The opening may be kept 
from closing by a dumb-bell shaped bougie of gutta-percha (PI. 



DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 249 

XXIV, fig. 5) or by the spring dilator. If the obstruction is more 
extended it may be perforated by Liithi's perforating sound. (PI. 
XXIV, fig. la and lb.) This is a steel wire with a ring at one end, 
and at the other is screwed onto the wire a conical cap with sharp 
cutting edges at the base, which scrapes away the thickened masses 
of cells as it is drawn back. This may be passed again and again to 
sufficiently enlarge the passages, and then the passage may be kept 
open by wearing a long dumb-bell bougie, a thick piece of carbolized 
catgut, or a spring dilator. If the passage can not be sufficiently 
opened with the sound it may be incised by the hidden bistoury. (PI. 
XXIV, fig. 2.) This is a knife lying alongside a flattened protector 
with smooth rounded edges, but which can be projected to any re- 
quired distance by a lever on the handle. The incisions are made in 
four directions and as deep as may be necessary, and the walls can 
then be held apart by the spring dilator until they heal. In case the 
constriction and thickening of the canal extend the whole length of 
the teat, it is practically beyond remedy, as the gland is usually in- 
volved so as to render it useless. 

CLOSURE OF THE MILK DUCT BY A MEMBRANE. 

In this form the duct of the teat is closed by the constriction of its 
lining membrane at one point, usually without thickening. The clos- 
ure usually takes place while the cow is diy ; otherwise its progress is 
gradual; and for a time the milk may still be pressed through slowly. 
In such a case, if left at rest, the lower part of the teat fills up and 
the milk flows in a full stream at the first pressure, but after this it 
will not fill up again without sufficient time for it to filter through. 
This is to be cut open by the hidden bistoury (PI. XXIV, fig. 2). 
which may be first passed through the opening of the membrane, if 
such exists. If not it may be bored through, or it may be pressed up 
against the membrane at one side of the teat and opened toward the 
center, so as to cut its way through. Incisions should be made in at 
least two opposite directions, and the edges may be then held apart by 
wearing the spring dilator until healing has been completed. 

In all cases of operations on the teats the instruments must be thor- 
oughly disinfected with hot water, or by dipping in carbolic acid and 
then in water that has been boiled. 

OPENING IN THE SIDE OF THE TEAT (mILK FISTULA ). 

This may occur from wounds penetrating the milk duct and failing 
to close, or it may be congenital, and then very often it leads to a dis- 
tinct milk duct and an independent portion of the gland. In the first 
form it is only necessary to dissect away the skin leading into the 



250 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

opening for some distance down, to close the orifice with stitches, and 
to cover the whole with collodion. A teat tube or spring dilator may 
be worn to drain off the milk and prevent distention and reopening 
of the orifice. In case of an independent milk duct and gland one of 
two courses may be selected — to open the one duct into the other by 
incision and then close the offending opening, or to inject the super- 
fluous gland through its duct with a caustic solution, so as to destroy 
its secreting power. In both cases it is desirable to wait until the 
cow goes dry. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XXII 




LIUS BIEN CO-N.Y. 



Supports for Prolapsed Uterus. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate XXIll. 




Supports for Prolapsed Uterus. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XXIV. 




Instruments used in Diseases following Parturition. 






DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES, 

Plates XXII. XXIII: 

Illustrate various appliances used in prolapse or inversion of the utea*us. 
The uterus should first be returned to its proper situation and then 
some apparatus applied to prevent a recurrence of the inversion or 
protrusion. 
Plate XXII : 

Fig. 1. Crupper, strap truss — taken from Hill's Bovine Medicine and 
Siirgery. 

Fig. 2. Renault's roiie truss. The rope for this truss should be from 25 
to 30 feet long and about the thickness of the little finger. 
Plate XXIII : 

Fig. 1. Cow to which Del wart's rope truss has been applied. 

Fig. la. Shows the loop of Delwart's truss. 

Fig. 2. Zundel's labial sutures. These consist of two wires passed through 
the lips of the vulva in a horizontal direction, and two additional 
wires passed through the loops at the ends of the horizontal wires in 
order to hold them in place. 

Fig. 3. Iron truss for holding the vagina or uterus in place after calving. 
The cords are passed through the eyes at the corners of the triangular 
iron ; the base of the triangle fits under the tail. The truss is from 
5 to 7 inches long and about 2J inches wide. 
Plate XXIV: 

Fig. 1. Liithi's perforating sound, for opening the milk canal through the 
teat when this has become occluded; A, the sound one-half the natural 
size; B, section of head of sound, natural size, showing cutting edge. 

Fig. 2. Bistouri cache. A blade hidden in its sheath which by pressure 
of the finger may be made to protrude a certain distance. This distance 
is regulated by the screw near the handle. The instrument is used to 
open the milk canal when closed up. It is introduced into the milk 
canal with its blade in the sheath and withdrawn with the blade pro- 
truding. 

Fig. 3. Spring teat dilatoi', about one-half natural size, for dilating the 
milk canal. 

Fig. 4. Ring teat syphon, for withdrawing milk when the teat Is sore or 
injured. 

Fig. 5. Gutta-percha bougie, for dilating the opening of the teat. 

Fig. 6. Truss applied to calf for umbilical, or navel, hernia. From Flem- 
ing's Veterinary Obstetrics. 

Fig. 7. Armatage's iron clamp for umbilical, or navel, hernia. When this 

clamp is applied care must be taken not to include a portion of the bowel. 

251 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 

By James Law, F. R. C. Y. S., 
Professor of Veterinary Science, etc., in Cornell University. 

SUSPENDED BREATHING. 

The moment the circulation through the navel string is stopped 
the blood of the calf begins to get overcharged with carbon dioxid 
(COo), and unless breathing is speedily established death promptly 
follows. Fortunately the desire to breathe, roused by the circulation 
of the venous blood and the reflex action from the wet and chilling 
skin, usually at once starts the contractions of the diaphragm and 
life is insured. Among the obstacles to breathing may be named 
suffocation before or during birth from compression of the navel 
cord and the arrest of its circulation; the detachment of the fetal 
membranes from the womb before the calf is born ; a too free com- 
munication between the two auricles of the heart (foramen ovale) 
by which the nonaerated blood has mixed too abundantly with the 
aerated and induced debility and profound wealmess; a condition of 
ill health and debility of the calf as a result of semistarvation, over- 
work, or disease of the cow ; fainting in such debilitated calf when 
calving has been difficult and prolonged; the birth of the calf with 
its head enveloped in the fetal membranes, so that it has been unable 
to breathe, and the presence of tenacious phlegm in the mouth and 
nose, acting in the same manner. 

Besides the importance of projjer care and feeding of the cow as 
a preventive measure, attention should be given at once to relieve the 
newborn calf of its investing membrane and of any mucus that has 
collected in mouth or nostrils. Wiping out the nose deeply with a 
finger or feather excites to sneezing, hence to breathing. Blowing 
into the nose has a similar effect. Sucking the nostril through a tube 
applied to it is even more effective. Slapping the chest with the palm 
of the hand or with a towel dipped in cold water, compression and 
relaxation alternately of the walls of the chest, may start the action, 
and ammonia or even tobacco smoke blown into the nose may suffice. 
Every second is precious, however, and if possible the lungs should 
bo dilated by forcibly introducing air from a bellows or from the 
human lungs. As the air is blown in through bellows or a tube the 
252 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 253 

upper end of the windpipe must be pressed back against the gullet, 
as otherwise the air will go to the stomach. In a large dairy a piece 
of elastic tubing one-third of an inch in bore should be kept at hand 
for sucking and blowing in such cases. 

BLEEDING FROM THE NAVEL. 

This may occur in two conditions — when the cord is cut off too 
close to the navel and left untied and when it tears off at the navel. 
(PL XIV.) It may also bleed when torn across naturally, if it is 
sucked by the dam or another calf. In an animal with little plasticity 
to its blood it will flow under almost any circumstances. ^^Tiere 
any cord is left it is always safe to tie it, and it is only when it is 
swollen and may possibly contain a loop of the bowel that there is 
danger in doing so. By pressing upward any bulky contents such 
danger is avoided. If torn or cut too close to be tied the bleeding 
may be checked by applying alum, copperas, or for a fraction of a 
second the end of an iron rod at a dull-red heat. If much blood has 
been lost it may be requisite to transfuse several ounces of blood or 
of a weak common-salt solution into the open umbilical vein. 

URINE DISCHARGED THROUGH THE NAVEL (PERSISTENT URACHUS). 

Before birth the urine passes from the bladder by a special tube 
through the navel and navel string into the outer wat^r bag (allan- 
tois). (PI. XII.) This closes at birth, and the tube shrinks into a 
fine cord up to the bladder. It is only in the bull calf that it is likely 
to remain open, doubtless because of the long, narrow channel through 
which the urine must otherwise escape. The urethra, too, is some- 
times abnormally narrow, or even closed, in the male. If part of the 
cord remains tie it and allow the whole to wither up naturally. If 
the cord has been removed and the tube (urachus) protrudes, dis- 
charging the urine, that alone must be tied. If there is nothing 
pendent the urachus must be seized, covered by the skin, and, a 
curved needle being passed through the skin and above the duct, it 
may be tied along with this skin. A blister of Spanish flies, causing 
swelling of the skin, will often close the orifice. So with the hot iron. 
If the urethra of the male is impervious it can rarely be remedied. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE URACHUS ( NAVEL URINE DUCt) . 

This may originate in direct mechanical injury to the navel in 
calving, or shortly after, with or without the lodgment of irritant and 
septic matter on its lacerated or cut end. The mere" contact with 
liealthy urine, hitherto harmless, can now be looked on as becoming 
suddenly irritating. The affection is usually marked by the presence 



254 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

of redneas and swelling at the posterior part of the navel and the 
escape of urine and a few drops of whitish serous pus from the orifice 
of the urachus. In those cases in which urine is not discharged a 
tender swelling, like a thick cord extending upward and backward 
from the navel into the abdomen, may be identified. The navel 
enlargement may be considerable, but it is solid, does not gurgle on 
handling, and can not be done away with by pressing it back into the 
abdomen, as in a case of hernia. 

In cases at first closed the pus may burst out later, coming from the 
back part of the navel and the swelling extending backward. In 
other cases whitish pus may pass with the urine by the ordinary chan- 
nel, showing that it has opened back into the bladder. In other cases 
the umbilical veins become involved, in which case the swelling ex- 
tends forward as well as backward. Thus the disease may result in 
destructive disorders of the liver, lungs, and, above all, of the joints. 

The disease ma}*" usually be warded off or rendered simple and com- 
paratively harmless by applying antiseptics to the navel string at 
birth (carbolic acid 1 part, water and glycerin 5 parts each, or wood 
tar). Later, antiseptics may be freely used (hyposulphite of soda 4 
drams, water 1 quart) as an application to the surface and as an 
injection into the urachus, or even into the bladder if the two still 
communicate. If they no longer communicate, a stronger injection 
may be used (tincture of perchlorid of iron 60 drops, alcohol 1 ounce). 
Several weeks will be required for complete recovery. 

ABSCESS OF THE NAVEL. 

As the result of irritation at calving or by the withered cord, or by 
licking with the rough tongue of the cow, inflammation may attack 
the loose connective tissue of the navel to the exclusion of the urachus 
and veins, and go on to the formation of matter. In this case a firm 
swelling appears as large as the fist, which softens in the center and 
may finally burst and discharge. The opening, however, is usually 
small and may close prematurely, so that abscess after abscess is 
formed. It is distinguished from hernia by the fact -that it can not 
be returned into the abdomen, and from inflammations of the veins 
and urachus by the absence of swellings forward and backward along 
the lines of these canals. 

Treatment. — Treatment consists in an early opening of the abscess 
by a free incision and the injection twice a day of an astringent anti- 
septic (chlorid of zinc one-half dram, water 1 pint). 

INFLAMMATION OF THE NAVEL VEINS (UMBILICAL PHLEBITIs). 

In this affection of the navel the inflammation may start directly 
from mechanical injury, as in either of the two forms just described, 
but on this are inoculated infective microbes, derived from a retained 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 255 

and putrefying afterbirth, an abortion, a metritis, a fetid discharge 
from the womb, an unhealthy open sore, a case of erysipelas, from 
overcrowding, from filthy floor or bedding, or from an offensive 
accumulation of manure, solid or liquid. As the microbes vary in 
different cases, given outbreaks will differ materially in their nature. 
One is erysipelatoid ; another purulent infection with the tendency to 
secondary abscesses in the joints, liver, lungs, etc.; another is due to 
a septic germ and is associated with fetid discharge from the navel 
and general putrid blood poisoning. In estimating the causes of the 
disease we must not omit debility of the calf when the mother has 
])een underfed or badly housed or when either she or the fetus has 
been diseased. 

SyTnptoms. — The symptoms will vary. With the chain-form germs 
(streptococci) the navel becomes intensely red, with a very firm, pain- 
ful swelling, ending abruptly at the edges in sound skin and extend- 
ing forward along the umbilical veins. The secondary diseases are 
circumscribed black engorgements (infarctions) or abscesses of the 
liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels, or other internal organs, and sometimes 
disease of the joints. 

With the ordinary pus-producing germs {Staphylococcus pyogenes 
mtreus and Streptococcus pyogenes) the local inflammation in the 
navel causes a hot, painful swelling, which rapidly advances to the 
formation of matter (pus), and the raw, exposed surface, at first 
bright red, becomes dark red or black, soft, friable, and pultaceous. 
If the pus is white, creamy, and comparatively inoffensive in odor, 
the secondary formations in internal organs and joints are mainly 
of the same purulent character (secondary abscesses). 

If, on the other hand, the discharge is veiy offensive and the pus 
more serous or watery or bloody, there is reavson to suspect the pres- 
ence of some of the septic bacteria, and the results on the general 
system are a high fever and softening of the liver and spleen and no 
tendency to abscesses of the internal organs. Diarrhea is a commoij 
symptom, and death ensues early, the blood after death being found 
unclotted. 

Complicated cases are common, and in all alike the umbilical veins 
usually remain open and can be explored by a probe passed at first 
upward and then forward toward the liver. 

Prevention is sought by applying a lotion of carbolic acid or iodin 
solution to the navel string at birth, or it may be smeared with com- 
mon wood tar, which is at once antiseptic and a protective covering 
against germs. In the absence of either a strong decoction of tea of 
oak bark may be used. 

Local treatment consists in the application of antiseptic to the sur- 
face and their injection into the vein. As a lotion use carbolic acid, 
1 ounce in a quart of strong decoction of oak bark, or salicylic acid 



256 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

or salol may be sprinkled on the surface. The interior of the vein 
should be swabbed out with a probe wrapped around with cotton wool 
and dipped in boracic salicylic acid. 

If complications have extended to the liver or other internal organs, 
or the joints, other treatment will be demanded. In acute cases of 
general infection an early fatal result is to be expected. 

pyemic and septicemic inflammation of joints in calves 

(joint-ill). 

This occurs in young calves within the first months after birth; it 
persists in the joints when once attacked, and is usually connected 
with disease of the navel. Rheumatism, on the other hand, rarely 
occurs in a calf under a month old. It tends to shift from joint to 
joint and is independent of any navel disease. Rheumatism, again, 
affects the fibrous structures (jf the joints, and rarely results in the 
formation of white matter, while the affection before named attacks 
the structures outside as well as inside the joints and, above all, the 
ends of the bones, and tends to the destruction and crumbling of 
their tissue and even to the fornation of open sores, through which 
the fragile bones are exposed. The microbes from the unhealthy and 
infected wound in the navel pass into the system through the veins, 
or lymphatics, and form colonies and local inflammations and 
abscesses in and around the joints. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are swelling of one or more joints, 
which are very hot and tender. The calf is stiff and lame, lies down 
constantly, and cares not to suck. There is very high fever and ac- 
celerated breathing and pulse, and there is swelling and purulent dis- 
charge (often fetid) from the navel. There may be added symptoms 
of disease of the liver, lungs, heart, or bowels, on which we need not 
here delay. The important point is to determine the condition of the 
navel in all such cases of diseased and swollen joints beginning in 
the first month of life, and in all cases of general stiffness, for besides 
the diseases of the internal organs there may be abscesses formed 
fimong the muscles of the trunk, though the joints appear sound. 
Cases of this kind, if they do not speedily die, tend to become emaci- 
ated and perish later in a state of weakness and exhaustion. 

Prevention. — Prevention must begin with the purity of the build- 
ings and the navel, as noted in the last article. 

Treatment. — Treatment is in the main antiseptic. The slighter 
forms may Ije painted daily with tincture of iodin; or an ointment of 
biniodid of mercury (1 dram) and lard (2 ounces) may be nibbed on 
the affected joints daily until they are blistered. In case of swellings 
containing matter this may be drawn off through the nozzle of a hypo- 
dermic syringe and the following solution injected: Compound tine- 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 257 

ture of iodin, 1 dram; distilled (or boiled) water, 2 ounces. Inter- 
nally the calf may take 5 grains qiiinia twice daily and 15 grains 
hyposulphite of soda, or 20 grains salicylate of soda three times a 
day. 

umbilicaij hernia (breach at the navel). 

This may exist at birth, from imperfect closure of the muscles 
around the opening; it may even extend backward for a distance, 
from the two sides failing to come together. Apart from this, the 
trouble rarely appears after the c-alf has been some time on solid food, 
as the paunch then extends down to the right immediately over the 
navel, and thus forms an internal pad, preventing the protrusion of 
intestine. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms of umbilical hernia are a soft swelling 
at the navel, with contents that usually gurgle on handling, and can 
be entirely returned into the abdomen by pressure. The diseases of 
the navel hitherto considered have not giirgling contents, and can not 
be completely returned into the abdomen. The only exception in the 
case of the hernia is when the walls of the sac have become gi'eatly 
thickened; these will, of coui^e, remain as a swelling after the bowel 
has been returned; and when the protruding bowel has contracted 
permanent adhesions to the sac it is impossible to return it fully with- 
out first severing that connection. 

Treatment. — Treatment is not always necessary. A small hernia, 
like an egg, in a new-born calf will usually recover of itself as the 
animal changes its diet to solid food and has the paunch fully devel- 
oped as an internal pad. 

In other cases apply a leather pad of 8 inches square att-ached 
around the body by two elastic bands connected with its four comers, 
and an elastic band passing from its front border to a collar encircling 
the neck, and two other elastic bands from the neck collar along the 
two sides of the body to the two bands passing ud over the back. 
(PI. XXIV, fig. 6.) 

For small hernias nitric acid may be used to destroy the skin and 
cause such swelling as to close the orifice before the skin is separated. 
For a mass like a large goose Q.gg one-half ounce of the acid may be 
rubbed in for three minutes. No more must be applied for 15 days. 
For large masses this is inapplicable, and with too much loss of skin 
the orifice may fail to close and the bowels may escape. 

The application of a clamp like those used in castration is a most 
effective method, but great care must be taken to see that all the con- 
tents of the sac are returned so that none may be inclosed in the 
clamp. (PI. XXIV, fig. 7.) 

Another most effective resort is to make a saturated solution of com- 
mon salt, filter and boil it, and when cool inject under the skin (not 
16923°— 12 17 



258 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

into the sac) on each side of the hernia a dram of the fluid. A band- 
age may then be put around the body. In 10 hours an enormous 
swelling will have taken place, pressing back the bowel into the abdo- 
men. When this subsides the wound will have closed. 

DROPSY OF THE NAVEL. 

A sac formed at the navelj by contained liquid accumulated by rea- 
son of sucking by other calves^ is unsightly and sometimes injurious. 
After making sure that it is simply a dropsical collection it may be 
deeply punctured at various points with a large-sized lancet or knife, 
fomented with hot water, and then daily treated with a strong decoc- 
tion of white-oak bark. 

THE BLUE DISEASE (cYANOSIs). 

This appearing in the calf at birth is due to the orifice between the 
two auricles of the heart (foramen ovale) remaining too open, allow- 
ing the nonaerated (venous) blood to mix with the aerated (arterial) 
blood, and it is beyond the reach of treatment. It is recognized by 
the blueness of the eyes, nose, mouth, and other mucous membranes, 
the coldness of the surface, and the extreme sensitiveness to cold. 

CONSTIPATION. 

At birth the bowels of the calf contain the meconium, a tenacious^ 
gluey, brownish yellow material largely derived from the liver, which 
must be expelled before they can start their fimctions normally. 
The first milk of the cow (colostrum, beestings), rich in albumin and 
salts, is nature's laxative to expel this now offensive material and 
should never be withheld from the calf. If, for lack of this, from the 
dry feeding of the cow, or from any other cause, the calf is costive, 
straining violently without passage^ lying down and rising as in colic, 
and failing in appetite, no time should be lost in giving relief by an 
ounce dose of castor oil, assisting its action by injections of soapsuds 
or oil. Whatever meconium is within reach of the finger should be 
carefully removed. It is also important to give the cow a sloppy, 
laxative diet. 

INDIGESTION. 

This may occur from many different causes, as costiveness; a too 
liberal supply of milk ; milk too rich ; the furnishing of the milk of a 
cow long after calving to a very young calf; allowing a calf to suck 
the first milk of a cow that has been hunted, driven by road, shipped 
by rail, or otherwise violently excited ; allowing the calf too long time 
between meals, so that impelled by hunger it quickly overloads and 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 259 

clogs the stomach ; feeding from the pail milk that has been held over 
in unwashed (unscalded) buckets, so that it is fermented and spoiled; 
feeding the milk of cows kept on unwholesome food ; keeping the 
calves in cold, damp^ dark, filthy, or bad-smelling pens; feeding the 
calves on artificial mixtures containing too much starchy matter; or 
overfeeding the calves on artificial food that may be appropriate 
enough in smaller amount.- The licking of hair from themselves or 
others and its formation into balls in the stomach will cause obstinate 
indigestion in the calf. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are dullness, indisposition to move, un- 
easiness, eructations of gas from the stomach, sour breath, entire loss 
of appetite, lying down and rising as if in pain, fullness of the abdo- 
men, which gives out a drumlike sound when tapped with the fingers. 

The costiveness may be marked at first, but soon it gives place to 
diarrhea, by which the offensive matters may be carried off and health 
restored. In other cases it becomes aggravated^ merges into inflam- 
mation of the bowels, fever sets in, and the calf gradually sinks. 

Prevention. — Prevention consists in avoiding the causes above 
enumerated or any others that may be detected. 

Treatment. — Treatment consists in first clearing away the irritant 
present in the bowels. For this purpose 1 or 2 ounces of castor oil 
with 20 drops of laudanum may be given, and if the sour eructa- 
tions are marked a tablespoonful of limewater or one-fourth ounce 
calcined magnesia may be given and repeated two or three times a 
day. If the disorder continues after the removal of the irritant, a 
large tablespoonful of rennet, or 30 grains of pepsin, may be given at 
each meal along with a teaspoonful of tincture of gentian. Any 
return of constipation must be treated by injections of warm water 
and soap, while the persistence of diarrhea must be met as advised 
under the article following this. In case of the formation of loose 
hair balls inclosing milk undergoing putrid fermentation temporary 
benefit may be obtained by giving a tablespoonful of vegetable char- 
coal three or four times a day, but the only real remedy for these 
is to cut open the paunch and extract them. At this early age they 
may be found in the third or even the fourth stomach; in the adult 
they are confined to the first two, and are comparatively harmless. 

DIARRHEA (sCOURINg) IN CALVES (siMPLE AND CONTAGIOUS). 

As stated in the last article, scouring is a common result of indi- 
gestion, and at first may be nothing more than an attempt of nature 
to relieve the stomach and bowels of offensive and irritating contents* 
As the indigestion persists, however, the fermentations going on in 
the undigested masses become steadily more complex and active, and 
what was at first the mere result of irritation or suspended digestion 



260 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

comes to be a genuine contagious disease, in which the organized fer- 
ments (bacteria) propagate the affection from animal to animal and 
from herd to herd. More than once I have seen such epizootic diar- 
rhea start on the headwaters of a creek, and, traveling along that 
stream, follow the watershed and attack the herds supplied with 
water from the contaminated channel. In the same way the disease, 
once started in a cow stable, is liable to persist for yeare, or until 
the building has been thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. It may 
be carried into a healthy stable by the introduction of a cow brought 
from an infected stable when she is closely approaching calving. 
Another method of its introduction is by the purchase of a calf from 
a herd where the infection exists. 

In enumerating the other causes of this disease we may i^efer to 
those noted above as inducing indigestion. As a primary considera- 
tion, any condition which lowers the vitality or vigor of the calf must 
be accorded a prominent place among factors which, apart from con- 
tagion, contribute to start the disease de novo. Other things being 
equal, the strong, vigorous races are the least predisposed to the mal- 
ady, and in this respect the compact form, the healthy coat, the clear 
eye, and the bold, active carriage are desirable. Even the color of 
the hair is not unimportant, as in the same herd I have found a far 
greater number of victims among the light colors (light yellow, light 
brown) than among those of a darker tint. This constitutional pre- 
disposition to indigestion and diarrhea is sometimes fostered by too 
close breeding, without taking due account of the maintenance of a 
robust constitution, and hence animals that are very much inbred 
need to be especially observed and cared for unless their inherent 
vigor has been thoroughly attested. 

The surroundings of the calf are powerful influences. Calves kept 
indoors suffer to a greater extent than those running in the oj^en air 
and having the invigorating influences of sunshine, pure air, and 
exercise ; but close, crowded, filthy, bad-smelling buildings ai^ espe- 
cially causative of the complaint. The presence in the air of carbon 
dioxid, the product of breathing, and of the fetid gaseous products 
of decomposing dung and urine diminish by about one-fourth of 
their volume the life-giving oxygen, and in the same ratio hinder 
the aeration of the blood and the maintenance of vigorous health. 
Worse than this, such fetid gases are usually direct poisons to the 
animal breathing them; for example, sulphureted hydrogen (hydro- 
gen sulphid 2 SH2) and various alkaloids (ptomaines) and toxins 
(neutral poisonous principles) produced in the filth fermentations. 
These low^r the general health and stamina, impair digestion, and 
by leading to the accumulation in stomach and bowels of undigested 
materials they lay the foundation for offensive fermentations within 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 



261 



these organs, and consequent irritation, poisoning, and diarrhea. 
They further weaken the system so that it can no longer resist and 
overcome the trouble. 

The condition of the nursing cow and her milk is another potent 
cause of trouble. The food of the cow is important. The influence 
of this is shown in the following tables: 

Becquerel and Vernois. 







Casein 








Character of feed. 


Water. 


and ex- 
tractive 
matter. 


Milk 
sugar. 


Butter. 


Salts. 


Cows on winter feed: 


Parts in 


Parts in 


Parts in 


Parts in 


Parts in 


Trefoil or lucern, 12-13 pounds; oat straw, 9-10 


1,000. 


1,000. 


1,000. 


1,000. 


1,000. 


pounds; beets, 7 pounds; water, 2 buckets 


871.26 


47.81 


33.47 


42.07 


5.34 


Cows on summer feed: 












Green trefoil, lucem, maize, barley, grass, 2 buckets 












water 


859.56 


54.70 


36.38 


42.76 


6.80 


Goat's milk on different feed: 




On straw and trefoil 


858.68 
888. 77 
844. 90 


47.38 
33.81 
35.14 


35.47 
38.02 
36.90 


52.54 
33.68 
56.87 


5.93 


On beets 


5.72 


Normal mean 


6.18 







In these examples the deterioration of the milk in casein on the less 
nutritious winter feeding is very marked, although the relative 
amount of butter remains almost unchanged. In the case of the goat 
the result is even more striking, the beet diet giving a very large de- 
crease of both casein and butter and an increase of milk sugar. 

The following table, condensed from the Iowa Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station Bulletin, gives the results in butter and total solids 
when the same cows were fed on different rations in succession. Each 
cow was fed a daily ration of 12 pounds corn fodder and 4 pounds 
clover hay, besides the test diet of (1) 12^ pounds com-and-cob meal, 
and (2) 10 pounds sugar meal — a product of the glucose manufacture. 
This special feed was given seven days before the commencement of 
each test period to obviate the effects of transition. The analyses 
of the special rations are given below : 



Constituents. 



Moisture 

Salts 

Fat 

Carbohydrates (heat formers) 

Woody fiber 

Proteids (flesh formers) 



Corn-and- 
cob meal. 



Per cent. 
13.37 
1.43 
2.81 
65.99 
8.03 
8.37 



Sugar 
meal. 



Per cent. 

6.10 

1.17 

11.16 

52.66 

8.64 

20.27 



262 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



The great excess of fat and nitrogenous or flesh- forming principles 
in the sugar meal is very evident. 



Animal. 


Milk. 


Fat. 


Solids. 


Fat. 


Solids. 


Ratio of fat 

to solids not 

fat. 


Grade Shorthorn cow: 


Pounds. 


P.Ct. 


Perct. 


Pounds. 


Pounds. 




First period, 21 days, com-and-cob meal 


6.31.25 


3.43 


11.57 


21.67 


73.02 


422.0:1,000 


Second period, 21 days, sugar meal 


641.50 


4.04 


12.53 


25.93 


83.38 


476.2:1,000 


Third period, 21 days, com-and-cob meal... 


559.00 


3.22 


11.86 


17.97 


66.32 


371.7:1,000 


Grade Shorthorn cow: 














First period, 21 days, com-and-cob meal 


604.75 


3.57 


11.95 


21.56 


72.28 


425.1:1,000 


Second period, 21 days, sugar meal 


582.00 


3.91 


12.37 


22.74 


72.57 


456.3:1,000 


Third period, 21 days, com-and-cob meal.. . 


527.00 


3.37 


12.05 


17.78 


63.48 


389.1:1,000 


Grade Shorthorn cow: 














First period, 21 days, sugar meal 


753.50 


3.97 


12.43 


29.94 


93.67 


469.8:1,000 


Second period, 21 days, com-and-cob meal. . 


601.50 


3.15 


11.45 


18.97 


68.89 


380.0:1,000 


Third period, 21 days, sugar meal 


560.50 


3.85 


12.16 


21.58 


68.16 


463.3:1,000 


Grade Holstein cow: 














First period, 21 days, sugar meal 


487.50 


4.15 


13.27 


20.25 


64.69 


455.6:1,000 


Second period, 21 days, com-and-cob meal . . 


379.00 


3.51 


12.69 


13.30 


48.09 


382.3:1,000 


Third period, 21 days, sugar meal 


374.50 


3.72 


13.01 


13.95 


48.74 


401,0:1,000 







Here we see in every instance a marked relative increase of the but- 
ter, and to a less extent of the other milk solids whenever the sugar 
meal — rich in fat and albuminoids — was furnished. The opposite 
theory having been largely taught, it becomes needful thus to sustain 
the old and well-founded belief of the dairymen. 

Not only does the richness of the milk vary with the nature of the 
food, but it varies also according to the time of the day when it is 
drawn, the morning milk giving 7^ per cent of cream and the evening 
milk 9i per cent (Hassall). Boedecker found that the morning 
milk had 10 per cent of solids, while the evening milk had 13 per cent. 
Again, the milk first drawn at any milking is always poorer than the 
last drawn. The first may have only one-half, or in extreme cases 
one-fourth, the cream of the last. Once more, when the cow is in heat 
the milk becomes richer in solids (casein and butter), and contains 
granular and white blood cells like the colostrum, and often disagrees 
with the young animal living on it. Now, while these various modifi- 
cations in the amount of solid matters may prove harmless to a strong 
and vigorous calf, they can easily be the occasion of intestinal dis- 
order in a weaker one, or in one with health already somewhat im- 
paired by sickness, exposure, or unwholesome buildings. The casein 
of the cow's milk coagulates in one solid mass, and is much less easily 
penetrated by the digesting fluids than the fine flaky coagula of 
woman's or mare's milk. An excess of casein, therefore, thrown on an 
already overtaxed stomach can all the more readily induce disorder. 
• So with butter fat. While a most important element in nutrition, 
it may be present in the stomach in such amount as to interfere with 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 263 

the action of the gastric juice on the casein, and with the interruption 
of the natural stomach digestion the fats themselves undergo decom- 
position with the production of offensive and irritating fatty acids. 

The milk of the very young cow is usually more watery than that of 
the mature animal, and that of the old cow has a greater liability to 
become acid. It varies much with the breed, the Channel Island 
cattle being notorious for the relatively large amount of cream, while 
the Holsteins, Ayrshires, and Shorthorns are remarkable rather for 
the amount of casein. The milk of cows fed on potatoes and grass is 
very poor and watery; that from cows fed on cabbage or Swedish 
turnips has a disagreeable taste and odor (from the former an offen- 
sive liquid has been distilled). 

Cows fed on overkept, fermented, and soured rations have acid 
milk which readily turns and coagulates. Thus old long-kept brew- 
er's grains, swill, the refuse of glucose factories, and ensilage which 
has been put up too green, all act in this way. The same may come 
from disease in the cow's udder, or any general disease of the cow 
with attendant fever, and in all such cases the tendency is to rapid 
change and unwholesomesness. If the milk is drawn and fed from 
a pail there is the added danger of all sorts of poisonous ferments 
getting into it and multiplying ; it may be from the imperfect cleans- 
ing and scalding of the pail ; from rinsing the pails with water that 
is impure; from the entrance of bacterial ferments floating in the 
filthy atmosphere of the stable, or from the entrance of the volatile 
chemical products of fermentation. 

In addition to the dangers coming through the milk, the calf suffers 
in its digestive powers from any temporary illness, and among others 
from the excitement attendant on the cutting of teeth, and impaired 
digestion means fermentations in the undigested masses and the 
excessive production of poisonous ptomaines and toxins. 

Whatever may be the starting or predisposing cause of this malady, 
when once established it is liable to perpetuate itself by contagion and 
to prove a veritable plague in a herd or a district. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms of a diarrhea may appear so promptly 
after birth as to lead to the idea that the cause already existed in the 
body of the calf, and it usually shows itself before the end of the 
second week. It may be preceded by constipation, as in retained 
meconium, or by fetid eructations and colicky pains, as in acute indi- 
gestion. The tail is stained by the liquid dejections, which are at 
first simply soft and mixed with mucus with a sour odor, accom- 
panied by a peculiar and characteristic fetor (suggesting rotten 
cheese), which continually grows w^orse. The amount of water and 
mucus steadily increases, the normal predominance of fatty matters 
becoming modified by the presence of a considerable amount of undi- 
gested casein, which is not present in the healthy feces, and in acute 



264 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

cases death may result in one or two days from the combined drain 
on the system and the poisoning by the absorbed products of the 
decomposition in the stomach and bowels. ^^Hien the case is pro- 
longed, the passages, at first 5 or 6 per day, increase to 15 or 20, 
and pass with more and more straining, so that they are projected 
from the animal in a liquid stream. The color of the feces, at first 
yellow, becomes a lighter grayish yellow or a dirty white (hence the 
name white scour), and the fetor becomes intolerable. 

At first the calf retains its appetite, but as the severity of the disease 
increases the animal shows less and less disposition to suck, and has 
lost all vivacity, lying dull and listless, and, when raised, walking 
weakly and unsteadily. Flesh is lost rapidly, the hair stands erect, 
the skin gets dry and scurfy, the nose is dry and hot, or this condition 
alternates with a moist and cool one. By this time the mouth and 
skin, as well as the breath and dung, exhale the peculiar penetrating, 
sour, offensive odor, and the poor calf has become an object of disgust 
to all that approach it. At first, and unless inflammation of the 
stomach and bowels supervene (and unless the affection has started in 
indigestion and colic) , the belly is not bloated or painful on pressure, 
symptoms of acute colicky pains are absent, and the bowels do not 
rumble, neither are bubbles of gas mingled with the feces. The irri- 
tant products of the intestinal fermentations may, however, irritate 
and excoriate the skin around the anus, which becomes red, raw. and 
broken out in sores for some distance. Similarly, the rectum, exposed 
by reason of the relaxed condition of the anus, or temporarily in 
straining to pass the liquid dejection, is of a more or less deep red, 
and it may be ulcerated. Fever, with rapid pulse and increased 
breathing and temperature, usually comes on with the veiy fetid char- 
acter of the feces and is more pronounced as the bowels become 
inflamed, the abdomen sore to the touch and tucked up, and the feces 
more watery, and even mixed with blood. 

Prevention. — The prevention of these cases is the prevention of con- 
stipation and indigestion, with all their varied causes as above enu- 
merated, the selection of a strong, vigorous stock, and, above all, the 
combating of contagion, especially in the separation of the sick from 
the healthy, and in the thorough purification and disinfection of the 
buildings. The cleansing and sweetening of all drains, the removal 
of dung heaps, and the washing and scraping of floors and walls, fol- 
lowed by a liberal application of chlorid of lime (bleaching powder), 
4 ounces to the gallon, are indicated. Great care must be exercised 
in the feeding of the cow to have sound and wholesome food and 
water, so apportioned as to make the milk neither too rich nor too 
poor, and to her health, so that the calf may be saved from the evil 
consequences of poisonous principles that may be produced in the 
body of the cow. The calves should be carefully kept apart from all 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 265 

calving cows and their discharges. Similarly, each calf must have 
special attention to see that its nurse gives milk which agrees with it, 
and that this is furnished at suitable times. If allowed to suck, it 
should either be left with the cow or it may be fed three times a day. 
If it becomes hungiy twice a day it is more likely to overload and 
derange the stomach, and if left too long hungry it is tempted to take 
in unsuitable and unwholesome food, for which its stomach is as yet 
unprepared. So, if fed from the pail, it is safer to do so three times 
daily than twice. The utmost cleanliness of feeding dishes should be 
secured and the feeder must be ever on the alert to prevent the strong 
and hungry from drinking the milk of the weaker in addition to their 
own. In case the cow nurse has been subjected to any great excite- 
ment by reason of travel, hunting, or carrying, the first milk she 
yields thereafter should be used for some other purpose and only the 
second allowed to the calf. Indeed, one and all of the conditions 
above indicated as causes should be judiciously guarded against. 

Treatm-ent. — Treatment will vary according to the nature and stage 
of the disease. When the disease is not widespread, but isolated 
cases only occur, it may be assumed to be a simple diarrhea and is 
easily dealt with. The first object is to remove the irritant matter 
from stomach and bowels, and for this 1 or 2 ounces of castor oil 
may be given, according to the size of the calf. Reduce the milk by 
one-half or two-thirds. If the stools smell particularly sour, it may 
be replaced by 1 ounce calcined magnesia, and in any case a table- 
spoonful or two of limewater muit be given with each meal. Great 
harm is often done by giving opium and astringents at the outset. 
These serve merely to bind up the bowels and retain the irritant 
source of the trouble; literally, "to shut up the wolf in the sheep- 
fold." 'V'^lien the offending agents have been expelled in this way, 
carminatives and demulcent agents may be given — 1 dram anise water, 
1 dram nitrate of bismuth, and 1 dram gum arabic, three times a day. 
Under such a course the consistency of the stools should increase 
until in a day or two they become natural. 

If. however, the outbreak is more general and evidently the result 
of contagion, the first consideration is to remove all sources of such 
contamination. Test the milk of the cow with blue litmus paper, and. 
if it reddens, reject the milk of that cow until by sound, dry feeding, 
with perhaps a course of hyposulphite of soda and gentian root, her 
milk shall have been made alkaline. The castor oil or magnesia will 
be demanded to clear away the (now infecting) in-itants, but they 
should be combined with antiseptics, and, while the limewater and the 
carminative mixture may still be used, a most valuable addition will 
be found in the following: Calomel, 10 grains; prepared chalk, 1 
ounce; creosote, 1 teaspoonful; mix, divide into 10 parts, and give one 
four times a day. Or the following may be given four times a day : 



266 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

One dram Dover's powder, G grains powdered ipecacuanha; mix, 
divide into 10 equal parts. Injections of solutions of gum arabic are 
often useful, and if the anus is red and excoriated, one-half dram of 
copperas may be added to each pint of the gummy solution. All the 
milk given must be boiled, and if that does not agree, eggs made into 
an emulsion with barley water may be substituted. Small doses 
(tablespoonful) of port wine are often useful from the first, and as 
the feces lose their watery character and become more consistent, 
tincture of gentian in doses of 2 tcaspoonfuls may be given three 
or four times a day. Counterirritants, such as mustard, ammonia, or 
oil of turpentine, may be rubbed on the abdomen when that becomes 
tender to the touch. 

ACUTE CONTAGIOUS SCOURING IN THE NEWBORN. 

The most violent and deadly form of diarrhea in the newborn calf 
deserves a special mention. This may appear immediately after 
birth, and shows itself almost invariably within the firet or second 
day. The most intense symptoms of white scour are complicated by 
great dullness, weakness, and prostration, sunken eyes, retracted 
belly, short, hurried breathing, and very low temperature, the calf 
lying on its side, with the head resting on the ground, lethargic and 
unconscious or regardless of all around it. The bowel discharges 
are profuse, yellowish white, and very offensive. As a rule death 
ensues within 24 to 36 hours. ^ 

A marked characteristic of this form of illness is that it attacks 
almost every calf born in the herd, or in the building, rather, and if 
the calf escapes an attack in the first two or three days of its life it 
usually survives. Those that recover from an attack, however, are 
liable to suffer from an infective inflammation of the lungs one or 
two weeks later. The infection clings to a stable for years, render- 
ing it impossible in many cases to preserve and raise the calves. It 
has frequently coincided with abortions and failures to conceive in 
the same herd, so that it has been thought that the same infective 
germ produces one type of abortion. On the other hand, the removal 
of the calving cow from the herd to calve in a separate building, 
hitherto unused and therefore uninfected, usually secures the escape 
and survival of the offspring. 

The disease has been traced by Nocard and Lignieres to a small 
bacillus having the general characters of those which produce hemor- 
rhagic septicemia, which is usually combined with a variety of 
others, but is in some cases alone and in pure culture, especially in 
the joints. The theory of Lignieres. is that this bacillus is the pri- 
mary offender, and that once introduced it so depresses the vital 
powers of the system and tissue cells that the healthy resistance to 



DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 267 

other bacteria is impaired or suspended, and hence the general and 
deadly invasion of the latter. 

Inoculations with this bacillus killed guinea pigs or rabbits in 6 
to 18 hours, and calves in 30 hours, with symptoms and lesions of 
hemorrhagic septicemia, including profuse fetid diarrhea. 

The predominance of the early and deadly lesions in the alimen- 
tary tract would seem to imply infection through the food, and the 
promptitude of the attack after birth, together with the frequent 
coincidence of contagious abortion in the herd, suggest the presence 
of the germ in the cow; yet the escape of the calf when the cow 
calves in a fresh building is equally suggestive of the infection 
through germs laid up in the building. This conclusion is further 
sustained by the observation that the bacillus evidently enters by 
the raw, unhealed navel, that it is diffused in the blood, and that a 
very careful preservation of the navel against infection gives im- 
munity from attack. 

Prevention. — The disease is so certainly and speedily fatal that it 
is hopeless to expect recovery, and therefore prevention is the rational 
resort. 

"V\Tien a herd is small, the removal of the dam to a clean, unused 
stable a few days before calving and her retention there for a week 
usually succeeds. But it is in the large herd that the disease is 
mainly to be dreaded, and in this it is impossible to furnish new 
and pure stables for each successive group of two or three calving 
cows. The thorough disinfection of the general stable ought to suc- 
ceed; yet I have seen the cleanest and purest stable repeatedly dis- 
infected with corrosive sublimate without stopping the malady. It 
would appear as if the germ lodged on the surface or in the bowels 
of the cow and tided the infection over the period of stable disinfec- 
tion. But though insufficient of themselves, the supply of separate 
calving boxes and the frequent thorough cleaning and disinfection 
of both these and the stables should not be neglected. The most 
important measure, however, is the disinfection of the navel. 

The cow should be furnished with abundance of dry, clean bedding, 
sprinkled with a solution of carbolic acid. As soon as calving sets 
in, the tail and hips and anus and vulva should be sponged with a 
carbolic-acid solution (one-half ounce to the quart), and the vagina 
injected with a weaker solution (2 drams to the quart). Fresh car- 
bolized bedding should be constantly supplied, so that the calf shall 
be dropped on that and not on soaked litter nor manure. The navel 
string should be at once tied with a cord that has been taken from a 
strong solution of carbolic acid. The stump of the cord and the 
adjacent skin should then be washed with the following solution: 
lodin, one-half dram; iodid of potassium, one-half dram; water, 1 



268 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

quart. When dry it may be covered with a coating of collodion or 
tar, each containing 1 per cent of iodin. 

Whenever a calf shows any sign of scouring it should be instantly 
removed to another pen and building, and the vacated one should 
be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Different attendants should 
take care of the sound calves and the infected ones, and all utensils, 
litter, etc., kept scrupulously apart. 

After one week the healthy calves may usually be safely herded 
together, or they may be safely placed in the cow stable. 

OTHER AILMENTS OF THE CALF. 

Among these may be named several congenital imperfections, such 
as imperforate anus, vulva, or prepuce, which are to be recognized by 
the inability to pass dung or urine, in spite of straining, and the 
formation of swellings in the anus, vulva, or sheath. Each must be 
carefully incised with the knife, taking care not to injure the muscles 
which circumscribe the respective openings. Also tongue-tie, in 
which the thin flaccid mucous membrane passing from the median 
line of the lower surface of the tongue binds the latter too closely 
to the floor of the mouth and renders the tongue unfit for gathering 
in the food in after life. This must be cut with knife or scissors, 
so as to give the tongue a reasonable amount of libert3\ 

Aphtha^ or thrush, is another trouble of the sucking calf, showing 
itself as a white curdy elevation on the tongue, lips, cheeks, or gums, 
and when detached leaving a raw red angry surface. It is due to the 
growth of a vegetable parasite long recognized as the O'idium alhicans 
{Saccharomfiyces alhicans). It is easily removed by rubbing with 
powdered borax, but inasmuch as other colonies are likely to start 
either in the mouth or lower down in the phai-ynx, gullet, or stomach, 
it is well to give a dose of one-half dram of hyposulphite of soda in 
water day by day for several days. 

Rickets is not a common disease in calves, and comes on, if at all, 
later than those we have been considering. It consists in softening 
and friability of the bones from a deficiency of lime salts, and appears 
to be mainly connected with an inherited weakness of constitution, 
unsuitable feeding, cold, close, damp buildings, microbian infection, 
and other conditions inimical to health. The prevention and treat- 
ment of rickets consists essentially in the improvement of the diges- 
tion and general health; hence sunshine, open air, exercise, nourish- 
ing food, and tonics are indicated. 



BONES: DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS. 

By V. T. Atkinson, V. S. 
[Revised in 1904 by John R. Mohler, V. M. D.] 

Some knowledge of the skeleton is advisable to facilitate the study 
of diseases of bones and the accidental injuries to which they are 
exposed. The skeleton of the adult ox is made up of the following 
number of bones : 

Spinal column 45 

Head 28 

Chest 27 

Shoulder 2 — Ion each side. 

Arm 2 — Ion each side. 

Fore arm 4—^ 2 on each side. 

Fore foot 40 — ^20 on each side. 

Pelvis 2 — Ion each side. 

Thigh 2 — 1 on each side. 

Leg 6 — 3 on each side. 

Hind foot 38 — 19 on each side. 

Total 196 

Without attempting to burden the reader with the technical names 
and a scientific classification of each, it appears desirable to describe 
some of the characteristics of forms in general, and of a few classes 
into which they may be divided, leaving the special study of in- 
dividual bones to the illustrations of the skeleton (PI. XXV), which 
will serve better than any amount of writing to fix in the mind of the 
reader the location, relation, and function of each one. In early fetal 
life the place of bone is supplied by temporary cartilage, which 
gradually changes to bone. For convenience of study, bones may be 
said to be composed of a dense form of connective tissue impregnated 
with lime salts and contain two elementary constituents — the organic, 
or animal, and the inorganic, or earthy. In young animals the former 
predominates; with increasing years the relative proportions of the 
two change, so that when advanced age is reached the proportion of 
inorganic far exceeds the organic. The gradual change with ad- 
vancing years :fe'om organic to inorganic has the effect of rendering 
the bone harder and more brittle, and though it is stronger the repar- 
ative process is slower when injury does occur. 

The bones are nourished in two ways: First, from the outside 
through their covering, called the periosteum — the thin strong mem- 
brane that covers every part of the bone except the articular surface 

269 



270 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

of the joints, and, second, from within through the minute branches 
of blood vessels which pass into the bones through holes (foramen) 
on their surface and are distributed in the soft structure (medulla) 
of the inside. The structure of the bone is divided into two parts — 
the compact or hard material of the outside, which gives strength 
and is more abundant in the shafts of long bones, and the cancellated 
softer tissue of the inside, which affords accommodation to the blood 
vessels necessary for the nourishment of that part of the structure. 

In shape bones are divided into three classes — long, flat, and short. 
The long bones are the ribs and those mostly found in the limbs ; the 
flat bones are found in the head, the shoulder, and the pelvis; and the 
short bones in the spinal column and in the lower portions of the 
limbs. 

With this little introduction, which seems almost indispensable, we 
will proceed at once to the consideration of diseases of bones, for they 
undergo diseased processes like any other living tissue. 

OSTEITIS. 

Inflammation of the compact structure of bones (osteitis) may be 
either acute or chronic, and may involve the whole extent of the bone 
affected or may be confined to only a portion of it. This inflamma- 
tion results from injury, such as concussion, laceration, or a crushing 
bruise; also from specific influences, as in actinomycosis or cases of 
foul foot. The latter affection frequently involves the bones, and for 
this reason the pastern is the most fi^equent seat of osteitis. There 
•is dull pain on pressure and a painful swelling of bone when pus is 
present. Suppuration may involve the overlying soft tissues, causing 
an abscess, which may finally break through the skin. The inflam- 
matory condition sometimes assumes an ulcerated form (caries) or 
from interrupted nutrition of the part deprived of the blood neces- 
sary to its nourishment may cause death of a large section of bone 
(necrosis), and this dead fragment (sequestrum)^ becoming separated 
from the main portion of bone, acts as a foreign body. 

Treatment. — This consists in resting the affected part and in giving 
vent at the earliest possible moment to whatever pus may be present. 
Free drainage should then be maintained. Apply dressings of lactic 
acid or inject with 5 per cent zinc chlorid solution and pack with 
tampons of cotton soaked in antiseptic solutions. A^laxative to keep 
the bowels moving freely is the only internal treatment necessary. 

PERIOSTITIS. 

This disease is an inflammation of the external covering of bone 
(periosteum) and is usually produced by wounds, pressure, or crush- 
ing the part. The periosteum is well supplied with sensitive nerve 



bones: diseases and accidents 271 

endings and when inflamed is very sensitive to pressure and may 
cause lameness. This condition is often difficult to detennine, and 
even an acute observer may fail to locate the point of its existence. 
There are three forms of periostitis — aseptic, purulent, and fibrous. 

ASEPTIC PERIOSTITIS. 

Aseptic periostitis when it becomes chronic causes such a bony 
enlargement (exostosis) as is seen in the callous formation following 
the fracture of a bone. The formation of such a tumor or enlarge- 
ment on the surface of a bone is liable to occur in any part of the 
bone covered with periosteum, and when found in the neighborhood 
of a joint involving two or more bones it is likely to result in their 
union (anchylosis). 

Treatment. — Applications of cold water to check the inflammatory 
processes is indicated for the first few days in aseptic periostitis, fol- 
lowed by hot fomentations to hurry resorption of fluids. Massage 
should then be given with camphor ointment, mercurial ointment, 
soap liniment; or Lugol's solution. In the chronic form point firing 
or a biniodid of mercury blister will be found beneficial. 

PURXTLENT PERIOSTITIS. 

Purulent periostitis follows wounds which reach the periosteum 
and become infected, as observed in compound fractures, or it may 
result from advancing purulent conditions in neighboring structures, 
as in foul foot. It may also occur in the course of an infectious dis- 
ease, when small abscesses are formed under the periosteum (sub- 
periosteal abscess). It may lead to necrosis of the bone or a fistulous 
track from the bone to the surface. There is usually much pain and 
fever present, and the odor from the wound is offensive. 

Treatment. — In this form of periostitis the periosteum should be 
freely incised, followed either by continuous irrigation or frequent 
injection of the wound with antiseptic solutions. 

FIBROUS PERIOSTITIS. 

This form of the disease consists in the thickening of the outer 
layer of the periosteum from the inflammation reaching it from 
neighboring striictures. This newly formed fibrous tissue may be- 
come ossified or may transmit the inflammation to the deeper bony 
structures. It is frequently seen in cases where there has been an 
intense inflammation of the skin close to an underlying bone. 

Treatment. — The treatment should follow that recommended for 
aseptic periostitis. 



I 



272 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

OSTEO MYELITIS. 

This term refers to an inflammation of the bone marrow, which is 
most commonly seen following the bacterial infection of a compound 
fracture and usually results in pus formation. The bone is melted 
away, and pus escapes from the bone under the periosteum, involving 
the soft tissues. It is principally confined to the long bones and sel- 
dom affects more than one. 

Treatment. — The bone should be opened for the purpose of curet- 
ting out the diseased portion of the marrow cavity and removing all 
the necrotic pieces of bone. This should be undertaken only by a 
competent A^eterinarian. The after treatment consists in tamponing 
the wound with pledgets of iodoform gauze or injecting a 2 per cent 
solution of sulphruic acid or hydrochloric acid of similar strength or 
pure lactic acid or a mixture of iodoform 1 part and glycerin 4 parts. 
The wound in the soft tissue should be kept open until the cavity in 
the bone has filled with granulation tissue. 

RICKETS. 

This disease, also called " rachitis,'' is an inflammatory affection of 
young, growing bones, and involves the ribs and long bones of the 
legs mostly. It consists in a failure of the organism to deposit lime 
salts in bone, and for this reason the bones do not ossify as rapidly as 
they should. The cartilaginous ends of the bones grow rapidly, but 
ossification does not keep pace with it. The bones become long and 
their ends bend at the joints, the legs become crooked, and the joints 
are large and irregular. All the bones affected with this disease are 
thicker than normal, and the gait of the animal is stiff and painful. 
A row of bony enlargements may be found where the ribs articulate 
with the cartilages connecting them with the breastbone and is called 
the " beaded line." A catarrhal condition of the digestive tract is 
usually observ^ed. The disease may result from an inherited weak- 
ness of constitution, poor hygienic surroundings, or improper diet. 
Calves and foals are less frequently affected with rickets than dogs 
and pigs. 

Treatment. — The affected animal should be given nourishing food 
containing a proper amount of lime salts. Outdoor exercise and 
plenty of fresh air are indispensable. Limewater should be given 
once daily for drinking purposes and ground bone meal mixed with 
the food. Phosphorus, one-fortieth of a grain, and calcium phos- 
phate, 1 dram, given twice daily to a 2-month-old calf, and propor- 
tionally increased for older animals, has proved efficacious in this 
disease. In some cases the long bones of the limbs are too Aveak at 



bones: diseases and accidents. 273 

birth to support the weight of tlie animal and temporary splints, 
carefully padded and wrapped on with some soft bandages, become 
necessary. 

osteomalacia ( creeps) . 

This is a condition of bone brittleness or softening of bone found 
usually in adult life. It consists of the decalcification of mature 
bone, with the adAancing diminution of the compact portion of bone 
by absorption. The periosteum strips very easily from the bone. 
This disease is seen in milch cows during the period of heavy lacta- 
tion or in the later stages of pregnancy, and the greater the yield of 
milk the more rapid the progress of the disease. Heifers with their 
first calf are frequently affected, as these animals require a consider- 
able quantity of animal salts for their own growth and for the 
nourishment of their calves. 

Symptoms. — In marked cases there is a gradual emaciation and 
symptoms of gastro-intestinal catarrh, with depraved appetite, the 
animal eating manure, decayed wood, dirt, leather, etc. Muscular 
weakness is prominent, together with muscle tremors, which simulate 
chills, but are not accompanied by any rise of temperature. The 
animal has a stiff, laborious gait; there is pain and swelling of the 
joints, and constant shifting of the weight from one leg to another. 
The restricted movements of the joints are frequently accompanied 
by a crackling sound, which has caused the name of " creeps " to be 
applied to the disease. The coat is dull and rough and the skin dry 
and hidebound. The animal is subject to frequent sj^rains or fracture 
of bones without apparent cause, as in lying down or turning around, 
and when such fractures occur they are difficult to unite. The bones 
principally involved are the upper bones of the legs, the haunch bone, 
and the middle bones of the spinal column. The disease in this 
country is confined to localized areas in the Southwest, known as the 
" alkali districts," and in the old dairy sections of New York. The 
cause of this affection is the insufficiency or total absence of lime salts 
in the food, also to feeding hay of low, damp pastures, kitchen slops, 
and potatoes, or to overstocking lands. It occurs on old worn-out 
soil devoid of lime salts, and has also been observed to follow a dry 
season. 

Treatment. — This should consist in a change of food and the artifi- 
cial feeding of lime salts, such as magnesium and sodium phosphate. 
Foods containing mineral salts may be given, such as beans, cowpeas, 
oats, cottonseed meal, or wheat bran. Cottonseed meal is one of the 
best foods for this purpose, but it should be fed carefully, as too large 
quantities are injurious to cows. Phosphorus may also be given in 
one-fourth grain doses twice daily, together with a tablespoonful of 

16923°— 12 18 



274 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

powdered bone meal or crude calcium phosphate at each meal. Ordi- 
nary lime dissolved in drinking water (limewater) will also be found 
efficacious in combating this disease, and can be provided at slight 
expense. A change of pasture to a locality where the disease is 
unknown and a free supply of common salt and bone meal will be the 
most convenient method of treating range cattle. 

SPRAINS. 

The most common accident occurring to bones and joints is a 
sprain of the ligaments uniting the bones, or the tendons uniting the 
muscles and bones. A sprain is the rasult of a sudden forcing of a 
joint in an unnatural direction; or, if in a natural direction, beyond 
the power of the ligament or tendon to restrain it properly, so that 
part of the fibers of either are ruptured. "\^^ien such an accident 
occurs pain is immediately inflicted, varying in degree with the 
extent of the injury, which is soon followed by swelling, with more 
or less heat and tenderness. If the seat of the injury be in any of 
the limbs, lameness is likely to result. Of the causes of sprain, slip- 
ping on ice or a wet floor, playing, or fighting with another anima-l 
are the most common. 

SPRAIN OF THE SHOULDER JOINT. 

This is likely to occur from any of the causes mentioned above or 
from the animal slipping suddenly into a rut or hole. Wlien such an 
accident occurs, sudden lameness will attract attention. The animal 
will be noticed to drag the leg when walking and to carry it in a cir- 
cular direction, outward and forward, at each step. The leg should 
be carefully examined, pressure over the joint causing the animal to 
evince pain. If the person making the examination is in doubt, it is 
well to make a comparison between the shoulders by pressing first on 
one and then the other. After such an accident the animal should 
be tied up so as to limit so far as possible the use of the injured joint. 

Soft food should be given with a view to keeping the bowels acting 
freely. 

Treatment. — During the first three days the treatment should con- 
sist of cold-water irrigation to check the inflammation and relieve the 
pain. Hot fomentations may then be applied to hasten the absorp- 
tion of the inflammatory fluids. "When the pain has somewhat 
abated, equal parts of mercurial ointment and green soap may be 
rubbed into the swollen tissue. Should lameness continue after the 
tenth day, good results will be obtained from the application of a 
blister. This may be done by carefully clipping the hair off over 



BQNES: DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS. 275 

the joint, including a surface of 4 or 5 inches in circumference, and 
rubbing in the following preparation : 

Powdered cantliarides dram — 1 

Biniodid of mercury do 1 

Vaseline ounce 1 

The animal's head should be carefully tied until the third day to 
prevent its licking the blister. The blistered surface should then be 
smeared with lard or vaseline every other day until the scabs fall off. 
Gentle exercise should be allowed after the fourth or fifth day from 
the application of the blister. If the lameness still remains the 
blister may be repeated in three weeks or a month. 

SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK. 

This may occur from misstep when the animal is moving rapidly, 
and the twisting or wrenching of the foot is sufficient to rupture 
partially the ligaments which bind the bones together at that part. 
Such an accident also frequently occurs by the foot becoming fastened 
in a hole in the floor, and the wrencliing is the result of the animal's 
attempt to liberate it. Lameness, followed by swelling of the joint 
and pain when it is handled, or when the animal moves the joint, 
and heat, are the more noticeable symptoms. If the sprain be very 
severe, the animal occasionally does not bear its weight on the limb. 

Treatment. — The most important consideration in the treatment of 
this affection is rest, w^hich is best enforced by keeping the animal in 
the stall and placing strong muslin bandages about the inflamed 
joint. As in the sprain of the shoulder, cold water in the form of 
douches, continuous irrigation with hose or soaking tub, or finely 
chopped ice poultices is indicated for the first three days. Following 
this apply a Priessnitz bandage ^ moderately tight about the joint, 
which not only conduces to rest, but also favors absorption. Massage 
with stimulating liniments, such as soap or camphor liniment, may 
later be applied to the affected parts. 

If the lameness has not disappeared by the tenth day, the blister 
advised for the sprain of the shoulder should be applied and the 
same precautions observed as to tying the animal's head and subse- 
quent smearing with vaseline. When a blister is applied in this 
locality, the back part of the heel should be first filled with lard or 

1 A Preissnitz bandage is a dressing wliich combines the three properties of Iceeping a 
part warm, moist, and subjecting it to uniform pressure. It consists of three layers of 
material. The inner layer is composed of absorbent cotton or some other material which 
is capable of holding moisture. This is soaked in water and wrapped around the part. 
The second layer consists of a substance which is impervious to moisture, as oiled silk 
or oiled paper, and is applied about the inner layer to prevent evaporation. The third or 
outside layer is composed of a flannel or woolen bandage to prevent the radiation of heat 
and thus keep the moist inner layer at the temperature of the body. 



276 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

vaseline, and care taken to prevent any of the blistering preparation 
from coming- in contact with the skin of that part. If this precaution 
is not observed, scratches may ensue and prove troublesome. 

SPRAIN OF THE HIP. 

This is likely to result from the animal slipping in such a way as 
to spread the hind feet wide apart. The patient goes stiff with the 
hind legs, or lame with one hind leg, walking with a straddling gait 
and swinging the leg outward as it is carried forward. Tenderness 
may occasionally be detected on pressure, but owing to the heavy cov- 
ering of muscles outside of the joint this test is not always reliable. 

In the acute cases give rest and cold local applications. After the 
fourth or fifth day the blister mentioned for sprain of the shoulder 
may be applied with advantage, and if this proves insufficient, we 
may fire in jjoints over the joint as a last resort. 

SPRAIN OF THE BACK. 

Sprain of the back, particularly in the region of the loins, is not an 
uncommon accident among cattle. It is likely to occur from the ani- 
mal slipping with both hind feet sidewise so as to twist the back, or 
the feet slipping violently backward so that great stress is thrown on 
the loins. The patient moves with difficulty, using the hind parts in 
a guarded manner, as if afraid of causing severe pain. Occasionally, 
if the sprain is severe, the animal will rise with difficulty. Pressure 
on the back in the immediate region of the loins causes pain. Such 
cases may be mistaken for paralysis, and, in fact, in severe cases, 
although the nerve supj^ly is not interfered with, the injury to the 
muscles and resulting pain is so great that the condition is almost 
equal to paralysis during the early stages of the injury, although 
likely to be attended with more favorable results. Hot applications, 
such as blankets wrung out of hot water and changed at short inter- 
vals, will be likely to afford relief during the earlier stages. After- 
wards the blister mentioned for sj^rain of the shoulder may be ap- 
plied with advantage. 

FKACTURES (BROKEN BONES). 

Bones may be accidentally broken in many ways and from different 
causes. Fractures in general are likely to be produced by external 
force suddenly and violently applied, either directly to the part or at 
a distance, the force being transmitted through the stronger bones 
until it expends itself by breaking a weaker one remote from the seat 
of the injury. Occasionally violent contraction of muscles is suffi- 
cient to break a bone. Certain bones, those of the limbs in particular, 
are more liable to fracture than others, owing to their exposed posi- 



bones: diseases and accidents. 277 

tion. The bones of some animals are more easily fractured than those 
of others, owing to certain predisposing causes, such as age, habit, or 
hereditary constitutional weakness. The bones of an animal ad- 
vanced in years are more subject to fracture because of the preponder- 
ance of inorganic matter rendering them more brittle. They are also 
occasionally rendered liable to fracture by a previously existing 
diseased condition. Fractures are divided into four classes — partial, 
simple, compound, and comminuted. 

PARTIAL FRACTURES. 

Partial fractures are those which are likely to occur in a young 
animal in which the preponderance of animal matter or the semicarti- 
laginous condition of the bone renders it tough, so that even when 
considerable force is applied the bone bends, breaking on the side 
opposite that to which the force was applied, after the manner in 
which a green stick Avould bend and break. 

SIMPLE FRACTURES. 

Simple fracture is one in which the bone is severed in two parts, 
either transversely, longitudinally, or obliquely, without serious in- 
jury to the adjoining structures. 

COMPOUND FRACTURES. 

Compound fracture is one in which there is an open wound per- 
mitting the air to communicate with the ends of the broken bones. 

COMMINUTED FRACTURES. 

Comminuted fracture is one in which the bone is shattered or 
divided into a number of fragments. 

COMPLICATED FRACTURES. 

Complicated fracture is one where other structures surrounding 
the bones are injured. 

GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF FRACTUBE. 

When a fracture of one or more of the large bones of a limb occurs, 
symptoms are sure to be well marked. After the accident the animal 
refuses to touch the foot to the ground and, if compelled to move, 
does so with great pain and reluctance. There is more or less short- 
ening of the limb, with trembling of the muscles in the vicinity of 
the injury; deformity, and increased mobility, so that, instead of the 
natural joints of the limb and the natural muscular control of their 



278 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

motion, a new joint is fonned where the fracture occurred, over which 
the animal has no control. As the leg hangs dependent from the 
bod3% shortened by the ends of the bones being forced past one another 
from the muscular contraction which invariably takes place, it swings 
in an awkward and unnatural manner, permitting the toe and foot to 
assume positions in their relations to other parts of the body which 
otherwise would be impossible. If the fractured bone is so situated 
that the parts may be moved one upon another, a grating sound, 
known as crepitus, will be observed. 

GENERAL TREATMENT OF FRACTURES. 

When a fracture occurs, the advisability of attempting treatment 
must first be determined. If the animal be young, valuable, and of 
reasonably quiet temperament, and the fracture not too great in 
extent, the chances of recovery are fair. On the other hand, if the 
animal should be of little value, irritable, advanced in years, and the 
fi-acture a serious compound or comminuted one, the wiser course 
would generally be to put the creature out of its misery. Having 
determined to attempt treatment, no time should be lost in restoring 
the parts as nearly as possible to their natural position and retaining 
them there. If the ends of the bones have been drawn past one 
another, they should, by firm and continuous tension, be drawn out 
until they again assume the position in which they were before the 
accident. All this can better be done before the swelling (which is 
sure to result) takes place. If the swelling has occurred before the 
injury is noticed, do not attempt to treat it, but proceed at once to 
treat the fracture as though the swelling were not present, for no step 
can be taken toward recovery until the ends of the bone have been 
restored to their proper position. When that is done and proper 
appliances have been used to prevent them from being again mis- 
placed, the swelling, which is the result of irritation, will be relieved. 
In selecting the appliances to be used in the treatment of fracture 
the judgment and ingenuity of the operator are of much importance. 
Splints, made of wood shaped to fit the limb and padded with soft 
material where they come in contact with bony prominences, and held 
in position by means of bandages, are the oldest method, and with 
some are still most popular. The fracture pads used in human 
surgery, and for sale in surgical depots, are very convenient. After 
being dipped in water they may be molded to fit the limb and be 
retained by means of bandages. Heavy sole leather is also used after 
being soaked in warm water and molded to the shape of the limb and 
holes cut in it to fit over any sharp irregularities in the natural shape 
of the bones. Gutta-percha sheets are also used and answer well. 
They are prepared and used in the same way as the leather. 



bones: diseases and accidents. 279 

Another and perhaps the simplest of all methods is the application 
of a plaster of Paris bandage, which is made as follows: Strips of 
thin cheese cloth 3 inches wide and 8 or 9 feet long are laid flat on 
a board and on them is spread a layer of plaster of Paris about one- 
eighth of an inch thick, then, starting at one end, roll carefully so as 
to gather the plaster in between the layers of the bandage. It is of 
course important that the, cloth be thin and the plaster of Paris fresh 
and active. After preparing four or five of such bandages the op- 
erator is ready to dress the fracture, which, after the parts have been 
brought into position, should be done by covering all that part of 
the limb to which the plaster of Paris bandage is to be applied with 
a single layer of the dry bandage, letting it extend both above and 
below the part to which the plaster of Paris bandage is to be applied 
and including under the folds of the dry bandage at each end a layer 
of absorbent cotton, which is intended to form a pad to prevent the 
ends of the plaster of Paris bandage from chafing the skin beneath. 
When this is done one of the plaster of Paris bandages should be 
placed in a vessel of water and allowed to remain till the air bubbles 
have ceased to rise from it, which will generally indicate that it is 
soaked through. Then, taking it in the hand, wind it carefully 
around and around the limb, unrolling the bandage as it is wound 
around the limb, occasionally smoothing down the plaster of Paris. 
Should it form roughly or in ridges the hand may be dipped in 
water to impart increased moisture to it. When about finished with 
one bandage, place another one in the water, so that the winding 
operation may be continued without delay. The bandages should be 
applied till the cast is from one-half to three-quarters of an inch 
thick, then gently restrain the animal for one-half or three-quarters 
of an hour till the plaster is hardened. Any of the appliances used 
should be so manipulated as to prevent absolutely any motion of the 
detached parts. If the fracture is near a joint, it is generally best 
to include the joint in the appliance. The part of the limb below the 
bandage should be carefully and firmly wrapped with an ordinary 
cotton bandage all the way from the plaster bandage down to the 
hoof. This last bandage will tend to prevent swelling, which is 
likely to occur, the result of the dependent position in which the 
animal is forced by nature to keep the injured limb. 

When plaster of Paris bandages are applied to a compound frac- 
ture the injured part may be previously dressed with a small, thick 
pad of cotton immediately over the wound. In applying the band- 
age the operator may with a little care so arrange it as to keep the 
folds of the bandages off the cotton, or have only a thin layer over 
it, which may be easily cut out and the cotton removed, leaving a con- 
venient opening through which to dress the wound without removing 
the bandage. The ends of the bandage or other appliance should be 



280 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

carefully watched to see that the skin does not lecome chafed, par- 
ticularly at the loAver end. If the bandage should become weak or 
broken at any part, it may be strengthened without removal by 
applying other bandages immediately over it. If swelling has taken 
place before the bandage has been applied, there is likely to be some 
loosening as it disappears, and even without the swelling there is 
likely to be a tendency of the bandage to slide downward. This may 
be overcome by fastening it to a suspender attached to a surcingle 
or passed over the body and attached to the opposite leg. If the 
looseness can not be overcome in this way, the space n i y be filled by 
pouring in a thin paste of plaster of Paris. A better method, how- 
ever, is to remove the bandage and apply another. Owing to the 
hardness of the bandage it will be removed with some difficulty. A 
deep groove should be cut down completely through it on the oppo- 
site sides. This may be done with a chisel and a small hammer if 
the bandage is carefully held by an assistant so that the concussion 
of the blow^s is not transmitted to the injured bones. The patient 
should have a roomy stall, and should be tied by the head to prevent 
any attempts to move around. In some cases slings have been used. 
Ordinarily, however, they are not satisfactory in cattle practice, and 
if applied should only be for a few days at time, and with a view to 
lessen the animal's disposition to lie down, rather than to prevent it. 
When they are used continuously the pressure on the abdomen is 
likely to interfere with digestion and the general health of the 
animal. 

Modes of vnion. — The animal should be kept as quiet as possible 
and given such food as will have a tendency to keep the bowels 
slightly relaxed. The success of the operation will depend chiefly on 
the, skill of the operator, but not alone in the selection and use of the 
appliances; for as much attention must be given to subsequent man- 
agement. The patients are unreasonable, and a single awkward 
motion may undo the work of weeks so far as the union of the parts 
of the bone is concerned. Union takes place after the same process 
and, if the conditions are favorable, with greater rapidity than in the 
human being. The injury that caused the fracture is almost sure to 
have extended to some of the adjacent tissues, and, even though the 
fracture may be of the simplest type, there is almost sure to be con- 
siderable hemorrhage around the ends of the broken bone. This, 
however, is unimportant if the skin remains intact, unless a very 
large vessel should be injured, or the fracture should open some of 
the important cavities of the body, in which case a fatal hemorrhage 
might result. If, on the other hand, the fracture be a compound one, 
the external opening furnishes a fertile field for the lodgment of 
disease-producing germs. 



f 



bones: diseases and accidents. 281 

Unless great care is exercised in such cases a suppurative process 
is likely to be established which will seriously interfere with, if not 
entirely arrest, the process of union between the bones; or it may 
become so serious as to endanger the general health of the animal 
and even be attended with fatal results. This last danger is greater 
where the injury has occurred to the bones of the arm or thigh. In 
such cases, owing to the dense covering of fascia which ensheathes 
the muscular covering, pus is likely to be imprisoned, and, burrowing 
downward, saturate the whole structure, not only endangering the 
limb, but, by absorption, may set up blood poisoning and seriously 
interfere with the general health of the patient, even to causing 
death. In order so far as possible to prevent such an unfortunate 
complication, the wound should be carefully cleansed with a mild 
solution of carbolic acid, then dusted over with iodoform before the 
bandages are applied, and cleansed and dressed daily in the same 
way. After dressing always cover with absorbent cotton. In the 
early process of union an exudation of h^mph takes place, which is at 
first fluid, gradually becoming thicker and firmer till it forms a callus 
in the shape of a ring or ferrule surrounding the detached portions 
of the bone, known as the external or ensheathing callus. It occa- 
sionally happens that this callus only forms at the ends of the bones, 
filling the spaces that exist between them, when it is known as the 
intermediate callus. The process of union may be divided into five 
stages. In the first stage, including the first eight days, the detached 
portions of the bone and the sharp projections that are not sufficiently 
nourished are absorbed ; the blood which escaped into the surrounding 
tissues, the result of the injury, is gradually absorbed, and the effused 
lymph, which is ultimately to constitute the temporary cartilage, 
takes its place. In the second stage, from the tenth to the twentieth 
day, the tumor or callus is formed and fibrocartilage is developed 
inside and around the exposed end of the bone. In the third stage, 
extending from the twentieth to the fortieth or fiftieth day, according 
to the age and strength of the animal, the fibrocartilaginous structure 
undergoes a change and is gradually converted into bone, forming 
a ferrule on the outside and a plug on the inside, which serve to hold 
the part in position. In the fourth stage, extending to about the 
sixth month, the whole of the new structure is converted into bone. 
In the fifth stage, extending up to the end of the first year, the callus 
is absorbed, being no longer neoessarj^, and the connection between 
the cavities of the two bones is again established. 

Common complications. — The process of union just described is 
healthy and normal. Diseased conditions may at any time supervene 
during the treatment and render the operation unsuccessful. In the 
case of compound fracture, the open wound conmiunicating with the 



I 



282 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

ends of the bones, a septic condition is apt to arise which may become 
so serious as to endanger the animal's life and bring about conditions 
which in human surgery would indicate amputation. Although that 
operation is not a general one in veterinai-y practice, there is no rea- 
son why it should not be attempted as a last resort, particularly if the 
animal be valuable or one whose existence is necessary in order to 
perpetuate some valuable strain. Even in the simplest form of frac- 
ture, if the splints or bandages are improperly applied and the frac- 
tured bone left so loosely guarded that the broken ends move one upon 
another^ the formation of the calluses previously described is likely 
to be interfered with, and in place of a strong, rigid, and healthy 
union a formation of elastic cartilage is the result. This false struc- 
ture unites the broken ends of the bones in such a way that they move 
one upon another, depriving the bone of its stability and usefulness. 
When once the healthy process of union is interrupted in the manner 
just described, it is with great difficulty that it can be again estab- 
lished. It no longer does any good to continue the restraining power ; 
in fact, the change of the temporary cartilage into bone is more likely 
to be reestablished if the parts move violently upon one another for a 
short time so as to set up and renew the process of inflammation. 
Then if the restraint be again applied there is some chance of union. 
In order so far as possible to avoid this danger, care should be exer- 
cised that the bandage fits closely and that it is kept on till there is 
no longer any danger but that a perfect union has taken place. It is 
impossible to say at just what time the splints or bandages can safely 
be removed. In a young and healthy animal of quiet temperament, 
where the parts have been firmly held in position throughout the 
whole time, from 30 to 40 days may be regarded as reasonably safe. 
Under more unfavorable conditions as to age, vitality, and restraint, 
the period would better be extended up to 60 days if the general con- 
dition of the animal is such as to permit of so long a continuance. 
After the appliance has been removed the animal should be allowed 
to stand quiet for a few days, then given very gentle exercise, gradu- 
ally increased over a period of a week or 10 days, by which time the 
patient will be so far recovered as to be placed in pasture. It should, 
however, be alone for a time, so as not to take any chance of injury 
from fighting or other accidents that association with other animals 
might involve. 

SPECIAL FRACTURES. 

Fracture of the horns. — Of the special fractures liable to occur, 
that of the horn is perhaps the most common. It is always the result 
of violent mechanical means, such as blows, injury occurring while 
fighting, or from the animal getting its head locked in some manner 
while feeding from a rack. When it occurs there are two ways in 



bones: diseases and accidents. 283 

which the injury is likely to affect the animal. First and most com- 
mon, the horny crust is likely to be stripped from the bony projection 
which it covers. Second, the crust and bone may both be broken or 
bent down, the fracture occurring in that case at the root of the horn 
and involving part of the bones of the head in the immediate vicinity. 
In the first case, where the horny covering is knocked off, little 
attention is necessary. The animal may be relieved from suffering 
by smearing the stump with pine tar and wrapping it in cloth. If 
the core is much lacerated, perhaps it would be better to amputate. 
The necessity for such an operation must be determined by the con- 
dition of the injuiy, influenced to some extent by the ideas of the 
owner on the subject. When the operation is performed, it should be 
done with a sharp, fine-toothed saw, and by sawing the horn off close 
enough to include a little of the skin and hair around its base. The 
practice of dehorning has grown popular in many parts of the coun- 
try. It is a simple operation, and, although attended with some 
immediate suffering, does not produce serious constitutional disturb- 
ance. The advisability of performing the operation on all cattle is a 
question of expediency and must be justified by the expectation of 
benefit on the part of the feeder. If the horn should be broken so 
that the core and crust are bent out of shape without the detacliment 
of one from the other, it may be restored to its normal position and 
retained there by means of a splint made to fit across the back of the 
head, so as to be laced to both horns, the sound horn serving to hold 
the broken one in position. Such a splint may be fastened on by 
means of either wire or cord and allowed to remain six weeks or two 
months. 

If the horn and core have both been broken off, bleeding is usually 
severe and should be checked by astringents, such as alum, or by 
pressure. After the hemorrhage has ceased the exposed portion of 
the fracture should be covered with pine tar, with or without a ban- 
dage. An imperfect growth of horn will in due time cover the 
exposed bone. 

Fractures of the bones op the face. — These occasionally occur, 
and when over the cavities of the nose produce depression, disfigure- 
ment, and impeded respiration, owing to the lessening of the caliber 
of the nasal passages. 

When such an accident occurs, the depressed bone should be gently 
forced back to place by introducing the finger in the nostril, or if the 
fracture be too far up for this, a probe may be passed and the parts 
retained by placing a plaster of thin leather or strong canvas smeared 
with tar immediately over it, extending out to the sound surround- 
ings, taking care to embed the hair over the fractured portion in the 
tar of the plaster so it will be firmly held and prevented from again 
becoming depressed. If only one nostril should be involved, the 



284 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

depressed portion nia}^ be lield in petition by packing the nostril on 
that side with absorbent cotton. This practice, however, has the 
objection of giving the animal great discomfort and in some cases a 
disposition to aggravate the injury. 

Fracture of the skull (cranium). — Fractures of the bones form- 
ing the cavity in which the brain is situated are, owing to their 
strength, comparatively rare among cattle. Such an accident can 
only be the result of external violence, and it is hardly possible that 
it could occur without some fragment of the broken bone pressing 
upon the brain so as to cause coma or other severe nervous derange- 
ment, or even death. 

If the animal survives the first shock, the efforts should'be directed 
toward relieving the pressure, w^hich may be done by making an open- 
ing in the bone (trephining) and with a hook drawing the depressed 
part outward. Interference is not so likely to be attended with good 
results as to be warranted in all cases. The effects of a very severe 
shock which may not have produced a fracture, although the symp- 
toms were alarming, will in many cases pass off, leaving the animal 
in a better condition than if an operation had been performed. 

Fracture of the lower jaw. — This occasionally occurs, and is 
more likely to result from the kick of a horse than from any other 
cause. The front part of the jaw is likely to be split or shattered in 
any direction in which the force may have been applied. Bloody dis- 
charges from the mouth and failure to eat or ruminate are symptoms 
most likely to attract attention. 

The treatment is simple, and consists of first removing detached 
pieces of bone, then drawing the parts together and retaining them 
by means of pieces of copper wire fastened around the teeth, and 
feeding the animal on sloppy food until recovery takes place. The 
wound should be dressed once or twice a day with a 3 per cent solu- 
tion of carbolic acid, forced gently in with a syringe, so as to remove 
any food which may have become impacted and interfere with the 
healing process. 

Fracture or the vertebra (spinal column). — This is not so 
common among cattle as other animals. If the fracture should be 
through the body of the bone there is likely to be pressure on or 
laceration of the spinal cord, causing paralysis of all parts posterior 
to the seat of injury. Fractures of the prominences on the vertebra 
occasionally occur without interfering with the canal in which the 
spinal cord is located. Such accidents are likely to pass unnoticed, 
for, although the animal may suffer considerable pain, it is not likely 
to be manifested in such a way as to attract attention, and the deep 
covering of muscles serves to effectually conceal the injury. ^\Tien 
the fracture occurs in the upper part of the neck, paralysis of the 
muscles used in respiration must result, and death from asphyxia 



bones: diseases and accidents. 285 

very shortly ensues. The more common accident is to the loins, and 
when a fracture of the body of the vertebra occurs in this region so 
as to produce pressure on the spinal cord, paralysis of the hind legs 
and quarters is the result. Diagnosis of such an accident is more 
difficult than in the case of any other fracture. The parts can not 
be moved one upon another so that crepitus is noticeable. The heavy 
coating of muscles conceals irregularities of shape Avhich would other- 
wise be likely to attract attention. About the only reliable symptom 
is paralysis or loss of use and sensation of the parts posterior to the 
injury. Careful examination may reveal the seat of the injuiy. If 
it was the result of a blow, there is likely to be some abrasion of the 
skin. The diagnosis is only important as an aid in determining the 
proper course to pursue. 

If paralysis is present and a depression or irregularity of the spinal 
column is so apparent as to leave no doubt of the existence of a 
fracture, the only alternative is to destroy the animal, for of recovery 
there can be no hope. If, on the other hand, the paralysis is incom- 
plete and there is no depression or irregularity of the spinal column 
or other evidence of fracture, the patient should be made as com- 
fortable as possible by being placed in a well-bedded box stall and 
a few days permitted to elapse before the case is abandoned. The 
symptoms last described might possibly be the result of a severe strain 
of the muscles of the loins, in which case an improvement will soon 
be noticeable. 

Fractures of the pelvis. — The pelvis, or bony framework Avhich 
gives shape to the posterior part of the body, is liable to fracture in 
many ways. A common one is by a separation of the two bones which 
constitute the Avhole pelvis along the bottom and center line (sym- 
physis pubis) . In early life the two bones are separate and distinct. 
The union between them, which is at first cartilaginous, undergoes a 
change and is converted into bone, so that in adult life the whole 
pelvis is practically one bone. The point on which the two bones are 
united is weaker than the adjoining parts of the bone. AlHien an 
animal slips violently, spreading the legs wide apart, the weaker 
materials give way and the bones are divided. If the accident is 
noticed when it occurs, it is likely to throw light on the nature of 
the injury. The animal will immediately go stitf behind, the legs 
being spread apart. Further examination may be made by introduc- 
ing the hand, previously carefully oiled, into the rectum or vagina 
and pressing down along the central line, which will cause the patient 
to evince acute pain. In this case no appliance can be used to advan- 
tage. The animal should be tied in a stall until the parts become 
reunited and the lameness disappears. 

Fracture of the posterior parts of the bone (ischium) which forms 
the point of the buttocks occasionally occurs. The buttock on the 



286 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

injured side will be less prominent that the other. Careful manipu- 
lation will generally move the parts so that crepitus may be recog- 
nized. If the fracture is through the posterior part of the bone, it is 
unimportant and deserving of no more attention than placing the 
animal in such a position as to insure it against subsequent injury 
until the bones are united. Some distortion is likely to result, but 
not sufficient to warrant interference. 

Fracture through the body of the bone on a line with the hip 
jonit (acetabulum) occasionally, though rarely, occurs, and is nearly 
always associated with dislocation of the hip joint and the forcing 
of the head of the upper bone of the leg (femur) upward, far out 
of its place. The violent contraction of powerful muscles of the hip 
renders it impossible to reduce the dislocation, and even if it were 
possible the fractured pelvis could not be held in position, so that 
the case becomes at once a hopeless one. It may be recognized by 
the animal standing on three legs, the leg on the injured side seem- 
ing shorter than its fellow and hanging pendulous, the muscles of the 
hip violently contracted and hard to the touch. The animal evinces 
great pain when the limb is moved. There is likely to be some ap- 
jDarent distortion in the relations between the point of the hip and the 
point of the buttock. This will be more readily noticed by compar- 
ing the injured side with the other. The parts may be moved so as 
10 produce crepitus. The examination may be completed by intro- 
ducing the oiled hand into the vagina or rectum, when the two sides 
df the pelvis will reveal well-marked differences. 

Fracture or the point of the hip. — The anterior and external 
part of the pelvis (ilium), commonly known as the point of the hip, 
is liable to fracture, which stock owners describe as " hipping," or 
being " hipped," or having the hip " knocked down." This accident 
is likely to be the result of crowding while passing through a narrow 
door, of falling violently on the point of the hip, or from a violent 
blow directed downward and forward against it. The lesion gen- 
erally extends across the flat surface of the bone from its outer and 
posterior edge forward and inward. Distortion is likely to be the 
only noticeable symptom. The detached portion varies in size in dif- 
ferent cases and with it the resulting deformity. The animal is 
noticed to be slightly lame, but this symptom soon disappears. The 
detached portion of the bone is drawn downward and away from the 
main part by the action of the muscles below, which are so powerful 
as to render return impossible. The bones therefore remain perma- 
nently separated, union taking place by fibrous callus. The animal 
suffers very little inconvenience, and for practical use may be as 
serviceable as before the accident, though the distorted appearance 
depreciates its value. 



bones: diseases and accidents. 287 

Fracture of the ribs. — Such an occurrence can take place only 
as the result of a direct injury, as from blows or crowding. The pos- 
terior ribs, being more exposed, are more liable to fracture. Pain in 
moving, slight swelling over the seat of injury, and difficult breathing 
are obvious symptoms. If the fracture be complete, crepitation may 
be occasionally noticed by placing the hand flat over the injured part, 
observing carefully the motion as the chest contracts and expands 
during respiration. This symj)tom is more noticeable when the ani- 
mal coughs. Unless the point of the broken bone penetrates the 
cavity of the chest the fracture is usually unimportant and calls for 
no treatment other than quiet. If the breathing is very labored and 
attended with much pain, motion may be limited by applying a wide 
bandage firmly around the chest. The animal should be restricted 
in the amount of food and water for a few days, the stomach being 
kept as nearly empty as possible. Sloppy food should be given to 
encourage, as much as possible, free action of the diaphragm in 
breathing. 

Fracture of bones of the limbs. — On this subject much has been 
said in the preceding remarks on general fractures. As a rule, 
fracture through one of the large bones of the shoulder (scapula) or 
thigh (femur) is very difficult to manage. The powerful contraction 
of the muscles and the changing shape of the limb resulting from 
their action renders it impossible to retain the detached parts of the 
bone in proper position. Therefore, though the union should take 
place, there is almost sure to be considerable deformity and more or 
less lameness. Fracture of the arm (humerus) or leg (tibia) is 
likely to be attended with better results. The muscular covering is 
not so thick, the sheath in which they are held is more tense, and the 
change in the shape of the limb from muscular action not so notice- 
able, the muscular force not so great, all of which facilitate replac- 
ing in position the dislodged ends and retaining them. 

Fracture of the knee (carpus) and hock (tarsus). — Unless it 
is the result of a very violent injury this seldom occurs, and is gen- 
erally associated with other injury and serious complications. Dis- 
placement does not generally occur to any considerable extent. The 
treatment, of course, will consist in holding the limb perfectly quiet 
in a natural position, which may be done by the application of long 
wooden splints retained by bandages, or a plaster of Paris bandage. 

Fractures below the knee. — Fracture of the long bone below the 
knee (metacarpus) and hock (metatarsus) is more common. In 
young animals of quiet temperament the treatment of simple frac- 
tures here is likely to be attended with good results. On the other 
hand, a compound fracture in this region becomes a serious matter. 
The structures which surround the bones are so thin that a very small 



288 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

degree of sloughing will expose parts of the bones and be likely to 
lead to serious complications and probably fatal results. 

Fractures of bones below the fetlock. — These fractures are 
comparatively unimportant unless associated with other serious in- 
jury. The parts can generally be held in position without much 
difficulty, and union generally takes place quite rapidly. 

Appliances. — Of the appliances used in the treatment of the frac- 
ture of limbs above the knee, splints made of wood or iron strips and 
bandages are likely to serve best. Below the knee plaster of Paris 
bandages are preferable. The writer is well aware that many of 
the standard authors deprecate the use of the latter, but an extensive 
experience leads me to believe that they have many advantages over 
any of the other appliances when used alone, and they may in many 
ways be used with advantage in combination with others. 

DISLOCATIONS. 

Luxation, or displacement of the bones forming a joint without 
fracture, is comparatively rare among cattle. It most frequently 
occurs in the stifle joint, where dislocation of the kneepan (patella) 
takes place. A glance at the skeleton (PI. XXV) will show the rela- 
tions better than they can be described. It will be observed that 
the small irregularly shaped bone (patella) plays on the anterior 
rounded part of the lower edge of the thigh bone (femur) and be- 
tween it and the upper end of the shank bone (tibia). The outer 
ridge on the lower end of the thigh bone is less prominent than the 
inner one, so that displacement, when it does take place, is by slip- 
ping outward. Such an accident may occur from direct injury or 
external force, as a blow, or from slipping. When it does occur 
the symptoms produced are somewhat alarming. The animal is 
imable to draw the leg forward, and either stands with it thrown 
back with the toe pointing downward, or, if it should succeed in 
getting its weight upon it, holds it finnly on the ground, fearing to 
move it. Examination of the outside of the joint will disclose the 
situation of the patella outside of its proper place. If the operator 
is not familiar with the normal appearance of the joint, it is well 
to make a comparison between the injured and the sound one. If 
compelled to move, the animal does so with great difficulty, jerking 
the leg which it is unable to bring forward, hopping with the other, 
and partially dragging the injured one. 

Treatment. — The treatment is simple. A rope 20 feet long should 
be applied around the fetlock of the affected leg, passed forward be- 
tween the front legs and up over the opposite side of the neck, back 
over the withers, and wrapped once behind the elbow around that 
portion of the rope which passes between the front legs. The leg is 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate xxv. 




bones: diseases and accidents. 289 

then drawn away from the body and forcibly pushed forward by 
an assistant, while another person tightens up the slack in the rope 
until the affected leg is oft' the ground in front of the supporting leg. 
The rope is then drawn taut and the assistant grasps the tail and 
pulls the cow toward the affected side. The animal makes a lurch 
to keep from falling, contracts the muscles, and the patella slips 
into place with a sharp click, and the animal walks off as if nothing 
had happened. If the animal resists this method of handling, it 
may suffice to manipulate the dislocated kneepan by shoving it in- 
ward and forward with the heel of the hand while the affected leg 
is drawn well forward. Unless some precaution is taken the acci- 
dent is liable to recur, as the ligaments have been stretched by the 
dislocation till they no longer hold the bone with that firmness neces- 
sary to retain it. The animal should be tied and the foot fastened 
forward, so that the patient can just stand on it comfortably, by 
means of a rope or strap around the fetlock carried forward between 
the front legs, around the neck, and tied on the breast. 

Should this accident occur more than once it is a good practice to 
apply a blister around the joint, as in the fonuula reconmiended for 
sprain of shoulder, and observe the precautions as to restraint and 
subsequent treatment there recommended. With this one exception, 
dislocations in the ox occurring independently of other complications 
are rare. 

Dislocation with fracture may occur in any of the joints, and where 
one is suspected or discovered, examination should always be made 
for the other before treatment is applied. "VVlien a fracture occurs in 
the vicinity of a joint the force sufficient to rend the bone is likely to 
be partly exerted on the immediate tissues, and when the bone gives 
way the structures of the joints are likely to be seriously injured. It 
occasionally happens that the injury to the joint becomes the most 
important complication in the treatment of a fracture. In order 
clearly to understand the reason for this a few words are necessary in 
relation to the structure of joints. 

The different pieces constituting the skeleton of the animal body 
are united in such a manner as to admit of more or less motion one 
upon another. In some of the more simple joints the bones fitting 
one into another are held together by the dense structures around 
them, admitting of very little or no movement at all. as the bones of 
the head. In other joints the bones are bound together by dense car- 
tilaginous structures, admitting of only limited motion, such as the 
union of the small bones at the back part of the knee and hock 
(metacarpal and metatarsal). In the more perfect form of joint the 
power of motion becomes complete and the structures are more com- 
plex. The substance of the bone on its articular surface is not cov- 
ered with periosteum, but is sheathed in a dense, thin layer of carti- 

16923°— 12 19 



290 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

lage, shaped to fit the other surfaces with which it comes in contact 
(articular). This layer is thickest toward its center when covering 
bony eminences, and is elastic, of a pearly whiteness, and resisting, 
though soft enough to be easily cut. The bones forming an articula- 
tion are bound together by numerous ligaments attached to bony 
prominences. The whole joint is sealed in by a band or ribbon-like 
ligament (capsular ligament) extending around the joint and at- 
tached at the outer edge of the articidar surface, uniting the bones 
and hermetically sealing the cavities of the articulation. This struc- 
ture and the articular surface of the bone is covered by a thin, deli- 
cate membrane, known as the " synovial membrane," which secretes 
the joint oil (synovia). This fluid is viscid and colorless, or slightly 
yellow, and although it does not possess a large amount of fat, its 
character somewhat resembles oil, and it serves the same purpose 
in lubricating the joints that oil does to the friction surfaces of an 
engine. Although the tissues of the joint when used in a natural 
way are able to withstand the effect of great exertion, when un- 
naturally used, as they are very delicate and complex, they are liable 
to inflammatory and other changes of a very serious nature. The 
synovial membrane, and in fact the whole structure of the joint, 
is susceptible to injury and serious inflammatory derangement, and 
the capsular ligament is liable to be distended from excessive secre- 
tion of synovia. The latter process may be almost noninflammatory, 
and attended with little inconvenience or importance other than a 
blemish to the animal, which in cattle is not serious. It may occur 
on the back part of the leg above the fetlock or on the inner and fore 
part of the hock, corresponding in its location to windgalls and bog 
spavin of the horse. Continuous support by bandages will generally 
force reabsorption, and as the limb is not subjected to violent action, 
as in the case of the horse, the affection is not so liable to recur. 

SPAVIN. 

Occasionally working oxen that are used in the lumber woods and 
made to pull heavily, with bad footing, are afflicted with this con- 
dition. When it occurs lameness is the first symptom. During the 
early stages of the disease the lameness is most severe in the morning, 
and disappears after the animal is exercised; it gradually becomes 
more severe as the disease advances, so that when the disease is well 
established the animal is lame continuously. Shortly after the lame- 
ness appears a bunch (exostosis) will be noticed on the inner and fore 
part of the affected joint. This bunch differs from bog spavin in that 
it is hard, while bog spavin is soft. It increases in size as the disease 
advances till the animal is too lame to be used for labor. As the dis- 
ease is always attended with considerable pain there is more or less 



bones: diseases and accidents. 291 

loss of flesh. In the most advanced stage the animal will step with 
difficulty, frequently holding the foot from the ground, or, if forced 
to take a few steps, stands with it elevated, twitching with pain. In 
the earlier stages of the disease only a small portion of the fore part 
of the lower, or second, articulation is involved, but the inflammatory 
process gradually extends over the whole surface of the lower joints 
of the hock. The structures of the joint are broken down and the 
bones are united (anchylosis). This process may include any or all 
of the three lower joints of the hock. The joint of motion which is 
situated on the lower end of the leg bone is seldom involved. 

Treatment. — Treatment of spavin in the ox, as in the horse, is 
likely to be tedious, and not always resulting in perfect cure. Usu- 
ally it is best to fatten the animal for slaughter. If, however, treat- 
ment is decided upon, it should consist of complete rest and counter- 
irritation of the part either by sharp blisters or the firing iron. It 
is advisable to try the effect of blistering first, and for this purpose 
the following mixture is recommended : 

Powdered cantharides drams 3 

Biuiodid of mercury do 2 

Vaseline ounces_- 1^ 

Clip the hair off and apply over the inner and fore part of the joint, 
covering the surface an inch and a half in every direction from the 
enlargement, or over an area 3 to 4 inches across. Fasten the ani- 
maPs head so that it can not reach the part to lick it ; after the third 
day grease with lard every other day until the scabs come off. This 
blister may be repeated three or four times at intervals of three 
weeks. The lameness will generally begin to disappear about the 
third or fourth month if the above treatment proves beneficial. 
Should lameness persist, firing in points by a qualified veterinarian 
may effect the desired result and should be tried as a last resort. 

In a case of spavin the cure is not effected by restoring the diseased 
parts to their natural condition, but by uniting the bones and obliter- 
ating the joints. If this union extends over the whole articular sur- 
face of the joints affected and is sufficiently strong to prevent any 
motion of the bones, the animal will again go sound. The joints 
that are obliterated, not being those of motion, are not important, so 
that the animal suffers no inconvenience in their loss. 

rheumatism. 

Rheumatism is a constitutional disease due to a specific condition 
of the blood and characterized by inflammation of the fibrous struc- 
tures of the body. It is usually accompanied by stiffness, lameness, 
and fever. The parts affected are usually swollen, but swelling may 
be lacking. The inflammation may be transitory ; that is, it changes 



292 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

from place to place. The parts usually affected are the fibrous struc- 
tures of the joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. The serous 
membranes and heart may also be aifected. According to its loca- 
tion, rheumatism is specified as articular or muscular. According 
to its course, it is designated as acute or chronic. 

Cause. — Among the factors which are actively causative of rheuma- 
tism may be mentioned exposure to dampness and cold, especially 
while the animal is perspiring or fatigued after severe physical exer- 
tion. Among other causes often mentioned are acidity of the blood, 
nervous derangement, microbes, and injuries. It occasionally follows 
another disease, such as pleurisy. The influence of age and heredity 
may be considered as secondary or predisposing causes. Sometimes 
the disease appears without any apparent cause. On the whole, it 
may be said that any of the above-mentioned factors may have more 
or less influence on the production of rheumatism, but the specific 
cause is as yet unknown. 

/Symptoms of articular rheumatism. — The symptoms appear sud- 
denly and with varying degrees of severity. The animal presents a 
downcast appearance, with staring coat, horns and ears cold, and the 
mouth and muzzle hot and dry. Appetite and rumination may be 
impaired and followed later or be accompanied at the same time by 
constipation. Constipation may be followed by impaction of the 
stomach or bowels. Thirst is increased, but the amount of urine 
voided is scanty. Respiration and pulse are accelerated, and there is 
usually a fever, rising sometimes as high as 108° F. The animal pre- 
fers to lie down, and when forced to rise stands with its back arched. 
The movements are stiff and lame and cause great pain. The disease 
may attack one or more joints at the same time ; in fact, it is often 
symmetrical. One joint may improve while another becomes af- 
fected, thus showing the shifting tendency of the inflammation. The 
affected joints, including their tendons, ligaments, and synovial mem- 
branes, may be swollen, hot, and distended with liquid. They are 
very tender, and, if treated carelessly or injured, may become in- 
fected, thus leading to suppuration. AVliile rheumatism attacks per- 
haps more frequently the knees and fetlocks, it has no special affinity 
for any joint and may attack the stifle, hip, shoulder, or elbow joint. 
In mild cases of articular rheumatism, the animal may fully recover 
in a few days. 

In chronic articular rheumatism there is less tendency of the dis- 
ease to shift about, but there is a greater liability of structural change 
in the affected joints. This change may consist of induration, exos- 
tosis, or even anchylosis. These structural changes about the joints 
may lead to permanent deformity, such as bending of the neck. 
Fever is not so constant in the chronic form as in the acute, and the 
latter may lapse into the former. 



bones: diseases and accidents. 293 

/Si/mptoms of muscular rheuDuttism. — This form of rheumatism 
may appear under the same general conditions as the articular form. 
The general appearance of the animal is the same in both forms. The 
cow usually assumes a recumbent position, and all the movements 
nuide are stiff and lame. The method of rising or of locomotion indi- 
cates pain in certain muscles or gi'oups of muscles, as of the croup, 
shoulder, or neck. As ii; the case of articular rheumatism, the 
tendons, ligaments, and synovial membranes may become involved. 
The constitutional symptoms in both articular and muscular rheuma- 
tism are similar, so that it is often perplexing to differentiate be- 
tween the two forms. 

Prevention. — It is somewhat difficult to procure preventive treat- 
ment for cattle, especially when there are large numbers with little 
or no shelter. In general it is advisable to protect the animals so far 
as possible from inclement Aveather conditions, such as cold rains, 
heavy dews, and frosts. This is more particularly necessar}'^ for ani- 
mals in poor condition, or those which are perspiring or fatigued 
after long physical exertion. Careful feeding is also essential. 

Treatment. — In attempting to treat cattle for rheumatism the first 
step is to procure proper shelter and environment. The animal 
should be quartered in a large, clean, dry stall with plenty of light 
and fresh air, but protected from strong drafts. There should be an 
abundance of clean, dry bedding. The food should be soft and easily 
digestible and slightly laxative, and the animal should have access to 
clean, pure, cool water. 

For general or constitutional treatment of acute rheumatism, 
sodium salicylate is indicated. In order to gain the best results from 
this drug, it should be administered with the idea of rapidly saturat- 
ing the system. To cattle it may be given in doses of one-half ounce 
every two hours for ten hours or until immediate relief is obtained. 
This cTmg should not be continued indefinitely, but may be given 
once a day after immediate relief has been obtained, and this single 
dose continued daily until permanent relief ensues, when it should 
be stopped. The use of sodium salicylate in chronic rheumatism is 
not advisable on account of the danger of depressing the heart, whose 
action is already somewhat impaired by the lesions which have at- 
tacked it. In this case one-half ounce doses of potassium nitrate or 
bicarbonate may be given three times a day. Besides the constitu- 
tional treatment, it may be necessary to give special attention to the 
bowels in order to relieve constipation. Cattle may be given saline 
laxatives at the outset, such as 1 pound of Epsom salt for an ordi- 
nary-sized cow, and the bowels kept regular by an occasional smaller 
dose. 

In chronic rheumatism the best course of treatment is to give tonics 
and local treatment. Local treatment may also be advisable in acute 



294 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

rheumatism in addition to the constitutional treatment already pre- 
scribed. 

External treatment depends solely on the local conditions and 
should be applied judiciously. Among the various remedies may be 
mentioned hot or cold moist packs, hot air and vapor baths, friction, 
etc. Anodynes are often applied locally with good results. Blisters 
are occasionally indicated. As anodynes may be mentioned liniments 
and ointments containing salicylic acid or sodium salicylate in com- 
bination with laudanum, aconite, or chloral hydrate. Camphorated 
spirit, soap liniment, and essential oils also afford some relief when 
applied locally. Of blistere, those containing cantharides are most 
effective. 



SURGICAL OPEEATIONS. 

By William Dickson -and William Herbert liOWE, D. V. S. 
[Revised in 1904 by William Herbert Lowe.] 

Surgery is both a science and an art. The success of surgical 
oj)erations depends on the judgment, skill, and dexterity, as well 
as upon the knowledge of the operator. The same fundamental 
principles underlie and govern animal and human surgery, although 
their applications have a wide range and are very different in many 
essential particulars. We must not lose sight of the fact that hygiene 
and sanitation are essential to the best results in veterinary as well 
as in human surgery. 

Asepsis is an ideal condition which, although not always possible 
in animal surgery, is highly important in connection with the me- 
chanical details of all surgical operations in proportion to the nature 
and seriousness of the same. Aseptic surgery may be said to be such 
as is preserved from contamination by poisonous materials, whether 
such poisons be applied directly to it or be generated in it by the 
action of germs that gain access to it and find within it the conditions 
favorable to their grow^th. It should be borne in mind that there are 
three ways that a wound may be kept aseptic; by the protection it 
receives from the first, at the hands of the surgeon, from the access 
of septic agents; by the power of living tissue to resist and destroy 
sej^tic agents, and by application to the wound of substances which 
destroy them. 

Local and general anesthesia should be resorted to in painful and 
serious surgical operations, as operations upon all living creatures 
should be humanely performed and all unnecessary^ pain and suffer- 
ing avoided. Anesthesia is necessary where absolute immobility of 
the patient is essential, and where entire muscular relaxation is 
indispensable. The anesthetic condition is also favorable for the 
reduction of displaced organs. 

Large animals have to be cast and secured before an anesthetic is 
administered. For complete anesthesia chloroform is generally em- 
ployed; sometimes ether and chloroform. A sponge is wet with the 
anesthetic and placed in a nose bag and the animal allowed to inhale 
the fumes. The amount of chloroform required to produce insensi- 
bility to external impressions varies much in different cases and must 
be regulated, as well as the admixture of air, by a competent assistant. 

295 



296 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

If the probability of the success of an operation is remote and the 
animal is in a healthy physical condition, so that its flesh is good for 
human food, it is more advisable to let the butcher have the animal 
than to attempt a surgical operation that offers little encouragement 
to the owner. The best judgment has to be exercised in determining 
a matter of this kind, for no animal suffering from inflammation or 
that is in a feverish condition is fit for human food. 

All cases of major operative surgery require the skill and dexterity 
of the exjDerienced veterinary surgeon^ and no one else should attempt 
such an operation, for unnecessary suffering must be prevented as 
well as the success of the operation attained. Nevertheless, the more 
knowledge and understanding an owner of animals has of surgical 
operations and manipulations, the better for all concerned. In the 
first place, such an owner will appreciate more fully the skill of the 
qualified veterinarian, and, in the second place, he will be the better 
prepared and equipped to render assistance to his suffering dumb 
dependents where no practitioner is accessible and in cases of emer- 
gency. There are, moreover, sundiy operations upon cattle, some of 
which can hardly be classed as surgical, that the stockman and farmer 
should be able to perform himself. 

In the performance of any operation upon an animal of the size 
and strength of the bull or cow, the first consideration is to secure 
the animal in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of its 
injuring ■either itself or those taking any part in the operation, for 
two or more are invariably necessary. The nature and time likely 
to be occupied by an operation must, of course, largely determine the 
method to be adopted. 

The majority of operations with which the present chapter is con- 
cerned are usually performed on the animal in a standing position.^ 
To secure the cow in this position, grasp the nose, the finger and 
thumb being introduced into the nostrils, and press against the carti- 
lage which makes a division between them. If she has horns, grasp 
one of them with the disengaged hand- If this is insufficient the 
animal should be secured to a post, the side of a building, or put in a 
stanchion. A very excellent method of restraint is to tie a long rope 
in a slip noose over the horns, pass it around the chest just behind 
the forelegs, taking a half hitch on itself, taking another half hitch 
in fi'ont of the hind limbs, passing the free end under the tail, bring- 
ing it forward and making it fast either to the head or one of the 
hitches. The head should be raised to the level of the back before 
the final knot is tied, so as to render it too serious and painful a mat- 
ter for her to repeat the first attempt she makes to lower it. Should 
the nature or extent of the operation be likely to take up a consider- 
able length of time, it is invariably the best plan to throw the animal. 

1 A buH should always be held by a stafif attached to the ring in his nose. 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 297 

In the case of the ox this is very easily done, either by use of horse 
hobbles, should they be at hand, or by the application of a simple 
rope. If the horse hobbles are used, they should be fastened on the 
leg just above the fetlocks (ankle joints), as they are in that position 
less liable to come off than if placed around the pastern. 

Of the many ways of applying the rope for this purpose we will 
describe two only, which we consider the best and simplest: 

First. Take a long, strong rope (one which has been used a few 
times is more flexible), double it, and at 2 or 3 feet from the doubled 
end, according to the size of the animal, make a knot and pass the 
collar thus formed over the animal's head, allowing it to rest on what 
would be the collar place in a horse. Now, pass the ends of the rope 
between the forelegs, carry one around each hind leg just above the 
fetlock joint, from outside in, under itself once, and bring the free 
ends forward, passing each through the collar loop on its own side 
and bringing the slack back toward and beyond the hind quarters. 
(PI. XXVI, fig. 2.) Two or three stout men should then take hold 
of each rope and at a given signal pull. The animal's hind legs 
being drawn forward, the balance is lost, and if the animal does not 
fall or lie down he can be readily pushed over on his side and secured 
in the desired position. 

Second. The three half hitches. Take a rope 30 or more feet long, 
make a slip noose at the end and pass it over the animal's horns, 
leaving the knot in the loop between the horns; then pass the rope 
backward along the neck to the withers, just in front of which take a 
half hitch on it, passing it along the back, take one half hitch just 
behind the forelegs and a second in front of the hind limbs round the 
flank, (PI. XXVI, fig. 1.) The free end of the rope is taken hold of 
by one or two assistants while another holds the animal's head. By 
pulling firmly on the rope, or inducing the animal to make a step or 
two forward while steady traction is made on the rope, the beast will 
quietly lie down, when his feet can be secured in the way most con- 
venient for the operator. 

There are numerous other methods, involving more or less complete 
restraint, which may be equally efficacious, but one or other of the 
ways indicated will doutless be found to meet fully all ordinary cases. 

RINGING THE BULL, 

This is usually and ought alw^ays to be done before the calf has 
attained sufficient weight or strength to make his restraint a matter 
of serious difficulty. An ordinary halter is usually all that is re- 
quired, the strap being secured to a tree or post. A jointed steel or 
copper ring is ordinarily used. Those made of the latter metal are 
preferable. 



298 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The common method of punching a round piece out of the nasal 
septum for the introduction of the ring is, I think, open to objection, 
as portions of the fine nervous filaments are destroyed. The sensi- 
bility of the parts is thus lessened and the object of ringing to some 
extent defeated. The insertion of the ring by means of a trocar and 
cannula is preferable, as the method is not open to this objection. 

For some years we have used a little instrument which can be made 
by any worker in metal, consisting of a steel point riveted into a short 
cannula made to fit on one end of the ring while open. (PI. XXVIII, 
fig. 11.) When attached to the ring it is easily and quickly passed 
through the septum, the half of the ring following as a matter of 
course. It can then be removed, and the ends of the ring brought 
together and fastened by means of the screw for that purpose. By 
this means any animal can readily be ringed by anyone in less time 
than it takes to describe the process; whereas, by any other method 
which necessitates first puncturing or piercing the septum and subse- 
quently introducing the ring, the operation is, even when the animal's 
struggles do not complicate matters, necessarily rendered tedious and 
uncertain by the fact that the opening through the skin and cartilage 
are not in apposition. 

DEHORNING. 

In this and other countries for some years past controversies have 
from time to time been carried on not only as to the advisability 
of dehorning, but also as to the propriety of the proceeding. The 
advocates of wholesale removal of horns in many cases exaggerate 
alike the necessity and the advantages accruing from the practice; on 
the other hand, their opponents are backed by the ultra humanitarian 
who stigmatizes the operation as barbarous, or worse. In some coun- 
tries these views are upheld even by courts of law whose legal acumen 
is able to detect in the procedure grave cruelty to animals. 

In this country owners are left to decide matters of this sort for 
themselves, but a work of this kind would hardly be complete without 
some expression of an opinion on the subject which might be helpful 
to the dubious when the matter comes up for decision. Justly, then, 
does the operation amount to cruelty? We answer distinctly. It does 
not. Cruelty to animals is defined as the infliction of unnecessary 
pain. Now, the operation of dehoraing causes pain certainly, as all 
surgical operations necessarily do, but it is not by any means more 
painful than many other operations (notably castration), to which we 
regularly subject individual animals without a second thought. 
Moreover, the pain is transient as well as slight, and, as a matter of 
fact, pales into insignificance before the severe and lasting torture 
inflicted as a matter of everyday occurrence by animals upon each 
other w^hen left to w^ear in confinement their weapons of offense, 
which, although doubtless of utility in a wild state, are, in a state of 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 299 

domesticity, a menace to their companions and a dangerous incum- 
brance to themselves. 

The matter has acquired enhanced importance from the fact that, 
owing to the strenuous efforts made by the United States Department 
of Agriculture, the invidious discrimination which barred the en- 
trance to Europe of American stockers has been removed, and our 
cattle now make lengthened journeys by land and sea. The removal 
of their horns will, then, not only lessen the owner's risk, but will also 
add materially to the comfort and safety of the animals themselves. 

But there is fortunately within the reach of all an open avenue or 
escape from that portion of the operation which supplies the only 
cogent argument against the practice under discussion. 

The owner of the 2 or 3 days' old calf, if he wishes it to all in- 
tents and purposes a " moolly," can dehorn it, or, more correctly 
speaking, prevent horns ever developing, by means of a chemical 
preparation which reduces the pain to a minimum, while it is even 
more effectual than either the saw or forceps. There are several 
chemical dehorners advertised in the open market, most or all of 
them effective, but the cheapest and simplest consists of a stick of 
caustic potash. 

The operation is performed as follows, and is uniformly successful, 
if performed before the calf is 3 days old : The little animal is caught 
and gently laid over on its side, in which position it is easily held by 
one assistant while the operator clips the hair off the trifling promi- 
nence on the frontal bone which marks the spot on the uppermost 
side of the head where the horn would be developed if not interfered 
with. He then takes his stick of potash, dips it in cold water, and 
carefully rubs it over the part just clipped for the space of, say, 10 
seconds. The calf is now turned over, the corresponding portion of 
the frontal bone on the other side clipped and thoroughly rubbed 
with the moistened potash the same way as the first. By this time 
the side first treated is dry and ready for a second application of the 
caustic, which should conform exactly to the first. Follow the same 
procedure on the remaining side, where the matrix of the embryo 
horn has been located, and, if the caustic has been properly applied, 
no horns will ever make their appearance. 

For animals intended to be kept either for steers or dairy cows, 
nothing can be more effectual, but it were well to discriminate be- 
tween these and the head of the herd, the bull, and for this reason : 
We dehorn our cows and steers chiefly to protect them from each 
other, whereas our main object in dehorning the bull is to protect 
ourselves. For this reason our end in the case of the latter is more 
effectually accomplished if we leave him in possession of his horns 
until he has learned to rely upon them as his weapons of offense and 
defense and then deprive him of his armament. If we employ in his 



300 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

case chemical dehorning at the early age recommended for the steer 
and cow, necessity becomes a second nature, and the animal intuitively 
adopts the catapult-like tactics of the " moolly." These, although, 
comparatively speaking, less harmful as between the animals them- 
selves, are equally dangerous when directed against their owner ; for 
captious indeed would be the critic who discriminated between being 
butted to death or hooked to death. 

Instances have been cited to prove that the effects of the depriva- 
tion of his horns are only temporary in the case of the animal that 
has once become dangerous or unruly, but a lengthened and varied 
experience convinces me that such is not the general fact. The moral 
effect of throwing the animal and depriving it of its natural weapons 
is both great and lasting, and with proper treatment the advantages 
thus obtained need neither be lost nor lessened. The animal, shorn 
of its weapons, dreads the very approach of man, and its impulse 
is to go from him instead of for him. Animals have more retentive 
memories than they are generally credited with. 

In performing the operation the precaution of the greatest impor- 
tance is to see that the animal is secured so that it can not struggle 
enough to hurt itself. The animal may be thrown by any of the 
methods already indicated. The only additional accessories for the 
above purpose are a strong halter and a long rope, fastened around its 
girth before it is cast. The free end of this is then passed through 
the ring on the halter and the head pulled back against the ribs. A 
liitch underneath the tail should bring the rope forward to the halter, 
w^here it may be fastened, so as to be readily loosed when the first 
horn has been removed. To remove the second horn loose the head, 
turn the animal over and refasten the head as before. 

The exponents of dehorning have attempted to envelop the opera- 
tion in a mist of technical absurdities, and insist on the necessity 
of an apparatus as intricate as a self-binder and about as easy to 
move around as the average elevator. But the above method will 
answer all practical purposes. The only instrument needed is an 
ordinary jointing saw, which should be used as quietly and quickly 
as possible. 

Animals may be dehorned any time except in fly time, or when the 
mercury is liable to drop to the neighborhood of zero, and cold water 
is the only dressing needed. It is a good practice to deprive the ani- 
mal of food for 12 hours before operating. 

BLEEDTNC ( BLOODLETTING ) . 

Although nowadaj^s this operation has fortunately become less fre- 
quent than when it was generally considered the panacea for all ills, 
there are beyond doubt some cases in Avhich the operation is admit- 
tedly the quickest and surest means of affording relief. 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 301 

In cattle the operation is usually performed on the left jugular 
vein, which is large and is easily rendered so prominent as to prevent 
the posibility of mistake by tying a cord around the neck below the 
place where the incision is to be made. (PI. XXVII, fig. 4.) The 
rope should be tied in a slip knot, so as to admit of its being easily 
undone, or a rope used with a loop at one end and a series of good- 
sized knots at the other, the loop and knots to be used as buttons and 
buttonholes. The proper instrument to use is a large-blade fleam. 
(PI. XXVII, fig. 3.) After the animal is secured the operator stands 
by the shoulder, holds the fleam in his left hand, the blade just short 
of touching the skin and parallel to the direction of the vein, and the 
stick or mallet with which to strike it in his right ; one quick, sharp 
blow should be sufficient. If the hair is long, it is a wise precaution 
to moisten and smooth it down. 

When sufficient blood has been withdrawn the rope is removed and 
the orifice closed by means of a pin inserted through the lips of the 
incision in the skin only, and a piece of fine string or tow wound 
either over or under it in the shape of a figure 8, or in a circle be- 
tween the skin and the pin (PI. XXVIII, fig. 10), the point of which 
should be clipped off. To prevent the animal from rubbing the part 
and tearing or dislodging the pin, it is advisable to tie the head up for 
a couple of days, providing the animal's health will admit of it, 
after which the pin may be removed and the wound left to heal in 
the usual manner. 

Before leaving the subject it may be well to add that as the good 
effects derived from bleeding depend more on the quickness with 
which the blood is drawn than on the quantity extracted, it is of 
importance that a liberal opening should be made into the blood 
vessel and the blood allowed to flow until a perceptible impression 
has been made on the pulse. 

SETONING. 

Setons are used in cattle for various purposes, of which perhaps 
the most common is as a preventive in anthrax or blackleg, when a 
seton is usually inserted in the dewlap. This is done not to afford 
exit to any poisonous discharge from the system, as is generally sup- 
posed, but to cause a sufficient amount of inflammation to increase the 
coagidating properties of the blood, which in these diseases becomes 
altered (as described elsewhere), notably losing its viscidity and in 
consequence oozing through the walls of the blood vessels. For this 
purpose the seton should be deeply inserted and should be dressed 
daily with turpentine or common blister. 

The ordinary use of a seton is for a different object, as, for in- 
stance, to keep up constant drainage from a cavity containing matter, 



302 DISEASES OF CATTL.E. 

or to act as a stimulant or counterirritant. To insert a seton, the 
place of entrance and exit having been decided on, with the finger and 
thumb make a small fold of the skin transverse to the direction the 
seton is to be inserted, and cut it through, either with a sharp knife 
or a pair of scissors (this should be done at both the entrance and 
exit) ; then with a steady pressure and slight lateral movement in- 
sert the seton by means of a seton needle. (PI. XXVIII, figs. 1 
and 2.) The seton should consist of a piece of strong tape, varying 
in breadth according to circumstances, and should be kept in place 
either by a knot on each end or by tying the ends together. 

Setons should be gently moved once a day after suppuration is set 
up, and they should not be allowed to remain in over three weeks, or 
a month at the outside. 

TRACHEOTOMY. 

This operation consists of making an opening in the trachea, or 
windpipe. It is indicated whenever there is an obstruction from any 
cause in the upper part of the respiratoiy tract which threatens the 
death of the animal by asphyxia (suffocation). The mode of pro- 
cedure is as follows: Have an assistant extend the animal's head as 
far as possible to make the trachea tense and prominent; make a 
longitudinal incision about 2 to 2^ inches long through the skin and 
deeper tissues and trachea at the most prominent part of the trachea, 
which is about the middle or upper third, and then insert the tracheot- 
omy tube. (PI. XXVII, figs. 1 and 2.) The latter should be removed 
once or twice daily and cleansed, and the wound dressed antisep- 
tically. To ascertain when it is time to discontinue the use of the 
tube and to allow the wound to close, the hand should be held over 
the opening, which will necessitate the animal to use its natural pas- 
sages in breathing. Observe if it is performed in a natural manner ; 
and if so, remove the tube and allow the wound to close. This is the 
general mode of procedure where the surgeon has all the necessary 
instruments and a moderate amount of time at his disposal. Often 
it has to be performed in great haste without the proper instruments 
and under gi-eat disadvantages, the operator having to quickly cut 
down and open the trachea and spread the parts, using some instru- 
ment improvised by him at the time. This operation only gives the 
animal relief in breathing, and therefore the proper remedial treat- 
ment should be adopted at the onset of the attack and continued 
until the cause (the disease) has been overcome. 

CHOKING. 

Choking, or the lodging of foreign bodies in the gullet, is divided 
into pharyngeal, cervical, and thoracic, according to location of the 
obstruction. The symptoms in general are uneasiness on the part of 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 303 

the patient, involuntary movement of the jaws, grinding of the teeth, 
a profuse escape of saliva, and tympanites of the rumen. If the 
obstruction is in the pharynx, the mouth speculum should be intro- 
duced and the oiled hand and arm of the operator inserted and 
an effort made to remove the obstruction. Many cases of choking 
may be relieved by giving a few ounces of any bland oil at frequent 
intervals and pulling the gitllet on the stretch by forcible extension of 
the neck. If this should be unsuccessful it will probably be necessary 
to have recourse to the probang (PL III, fig. 2) , which should be care- 
fully introduced and the obstruction slowly pushed downward toward 
the rumen, care being taken not to lacerate the coats of the esophagus. 
An operation known as esophagotomy may be performed in case the 
above efforts have failed. I will briefly describe the steps to be taken 
in such an emergency. 

ESOPHAGOTOMY. 

In case the obstiiiction is in the cervical portion of the esophagus, 
the best procedure is to cut through the skin and subcutaneous mus- 
cle of the neck onto, but not into, the esophagus. The foreign body 
may then be pushed upward until it can be reached and removed 
through the mouth. The incision should be long; indeed, it may be 
made the whole length of the neck if necessary, as it is practically 
but a subcutaneous wound and heals readily. 

PUNCTURING THE RUMEN. 

This is an operation that when indicated has to be performed at 
once or the animal may be lost. It is indicated in severe cases of acute 
tympanites in cattle, commonly known as lioven, which is due to the 
generation of gas resulting from fermentation. Recurrent attacks of 
hoven are usually due to tubercular infiltration of the mediastinal and 
bronchial glands. To relieve this distention an ordinary cattle trocar 
and cannula (PL III, figs. 5a and 5b) are inserted into the rumen, the 
most distended portion of the left side of the animal being the part 
selected. The trocar is withdrawn and the cannula left in until the 
gas has fully escaped. 

Puncturing is not a serious operation in cattle, and in cases of great 
distention should be performed without hesitancy or delay. Relief is 
almost instantaneous in many cases. Of course, the proper remedial 
agents should be administered to arrest further fermentation. (See 
" Tympanites," p. 26.) 

RUMENOTOMY. 

The opening of the paunch, or rimien, in cattle and the removal 
of a part or the whole of the ingesta through said opening is termed 
rumenotomy. The operation should be performed in severe causes 



304 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

only, where the rumen is excessively overloaded and distended. 
The animal is placed with its right side against a wall and firmly 
held in position by strong assistants. The incision is made in the 
same place that the trocar is inserted for puncturing that organ in 
cases of hoven. The opening is increased in size until the operator's 
hand can be inserted into the rumen. Before any of the contents 
are removed from that organ a linen cloth should be placed from the 
outer wound into the rumen in order to prevent any of the ingesta 
from getting into the abdominal cavity. After removing a portion 
of the contents of the rumen some practitionei's introduce such medi- 
cine as may be indicated before closing the wound. Clean the 
wound and close tlie opening in the rumen with uninterrupted (PI. 
XXVIII, fig. 8) carbolized catgut sutures. Next close the external 
wound, consisting of the integument, muscle, and peritoneum, with 
stout, interrupted (PI. XXVIII, fig. 6) metallic sutures. No food 
should be given for several hours after the operation, and then gruels 
only. (See "Distention of rumen with food," p. 27.) 

TREATMENT OF ABSCESSES. 

An abscess may be detected, if situated externally, by heat, pain, 
redness, and swelling in the early stages, and, if further developed, 
by the fluctuation which will be present. When any of these symp- 
toms are absent, the suppuration should be encouraged by the means 
of hot fomentations and poultices. Care must be taken that the 
abscess is not opened too soon, or it may to some extent cause it to 
scatter, and the escape of pus will be lessened. The time to open 
an abscess is just before it is ready to break, and should be done with 
a sharp lance, a crucial incision sometimes being necessary. The 
cavity should be syringed out with an antiseptic solution. Care 
should be taken not to allow the woimd to close too rapidly, and to 
prevent this a tent of lint or oakum should be introduced. 

WOUNDS. 

It is probably not going too far to say that as a general rule 
wounds of the bovine species, unless sufficiently serious to endanger 
the animal's life, are left uncared for. The poor suffering creatures 
are too often, even in fly time, left to endure untold torture from 
wounds not at first of much importance, but which, from the con- 
stant irritation caused by flies, dirt, etc., often develop into hideous, 
imhealthy sores, which can not fail, even when they do heal, to leave 
extensive and lasting blemishes as records of the owner's thriftless- 
ness and inhumanity. 

The comparatively low market value of all but the full-blood and 
pedigreed animal precludes an owner (save in a few exceptional 



SURGICAL. OPERATIONS. 305 

cases, inspired by a higher than ordinary sense of humanity) from 
entertaining j^rofessional assistance. It is more than doubtful 
whether the suffering creature does not go from bad to worse when 
its case is made over to the tender mercies of the ignorant local cow- 
leech, to whom " wolf in the tail " is a terrifying living presence 
and " hollow horn " a solid fact, and whose sole claim to erudition 
in such matters consists of conceited ability to manufacture on 
scientific prescriptions an artificial substitute for the cud supposed 
to be " lost." 

There is yet another class of owners who entertain a blind belief 
in liniments and patent nostrums, many of which are not only an 
unnecessary expense, but may by their very action retard rather than 
expedite the process by which nature repairs the injured tissues, 
tendons, and bony structure. 

It should always be borne in mind that although some applications 
are stimulating, and therefore serve as a useful ally in the process of 
restoration, it is, after all, to nature we must look to renovate the 
injured parts, and all that the most skillful can do is to aid her intel- 
ligently by combating those conditions which are calculated to inter- 
fere with her beneficent endeavors. All that the most suitable appli- 
cations can accomplish in the case of wounds is, in the first place, to 
prevent the access of those poisonous germs which exist in the sur- 
roundings of the animal, such as the soil and the manure, and, in the 
second place, when the process of repair is for some reason tempo- 
rarily inactive or altogether arrested, to incite that curative inflam- 
mation which is the invariable method by which the cure is effected. 

Some owners may urge that it has always been their practice to use 
some shotgun prescription that has earned for itself a reputation, 
because it was supposed to have routed a rash on the youngest baby, 
and proved equally efficacious on a wire cut on the last-dropped calf, 
without even pausing to think that either case might have done 
equally well or even better if confided unanointed to the healing 
hands of Nature. 

For the purposes of the present work wounds may be divided into 
three classes: (1) Incised; (2) punctured; (3) lacerated or contused. 

Incised wound. — This is one with clean-cut edges, and may be 
either superficial or deep. In wounds of all descriptions there is 
necessarily more or lass bleeding, and this is especially liable to be 
the case in incised wounds, particularly when they penetrate to a 
considerable depth, or when inflicted on a part where arteries of any 
size approach the surface. To arrest the hemorrhage must there- 
fore be the first consideration. If slight, a generous use of cold water 
will be all that is necessary, but if one or more vessels of any size 
have been wounded or entirely severed, they should be taken up and 
ligated. If the blood flows continuously and is dark in color, it pro- 
16923°— 12 20 



306 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

ceeds from a vein, but if bright-colored and jerky in its flow, it is 
arterial. 

There is nothing very formidable or difficult in taking up an artery. 
It simply means tying up the bleeding vessel, which should be accom- 
plished as follows: To discover the bleeding artery, take a sponge, 
dip it in cold water, and by gentle pressure on the wound clear it of 
the accumulated blood. The jet of fresh blood reveals the end of the 
vessel, which is readily recognized by its whitish yellow, or buff, 
color. It should be seized with a forceps or pincers and slightly 
drawn clear of the surrounding tissues. Now take the thread and 
place the middle of it under the artery, fetch up the ends, tie one 
simple knot tightly, pressing down the thread with the forefinger 
so as not to include the forceps, then a second one over it, cut off the 
ends, and the thing is done. The bleeding being arrested, the operator 
can now carefully clean and inspect the wound, taking care to re- 
move all blood and foreign matters and clip the hair around the 
edges before proceeding to stitch it up. If the wound is superficial, 
the lips may be brought together by a series of independent stitches 
(PI. XXVIII, fig. 6), about three-fourths of an inch to an inch 
apart. The stitches should not be drawn tightly; it is sufficient to 
bring the edges of the wound in apposition. 

If the wound is deep, the needle should be introduced perpendicu- 
larly at as great a distance from the lip of the wound as the depth 
it is to be inserted, so as to give the thread sufficient hold. All the 
stitches should be as nearly as possible at equal distances from the 
border of the wound, to prevent unequal strain, and the knots should 
be made at the side, not over the wound. (PI. XXVIII, fig. 6.) 
When the wound is large and deep, care should be taken to have an 
opening in the lowest part to allow for the escape of the discharges. 

In deep wounds which run crosswise of a limb or muscle it will often 
be advisable to use what is technically known as the " quilled suture," 
which is most readily understood by reference to Plate XXVIII, 
figure 7. To accomplish this method, a curved needle with an eye in 
the point and a strong double thread should be used. The needle thus 
threaded is introduced perpendicularly at least an inch from the wound 
on one side, carried across below and brought out the same distance 
from the border of the cut on the opposite side, the thread being seized 
and held in position while the needle is withdrawn, leaving a loop of 
thread protruding on one side and two loose ends on the other side of 
each stitch, "\^^len a sufficient number of stitches have been made, 
take a light piece of wood about the size of a lead pencil, correspond- 
ing in length to the size of the wound or slightly longer, and insert it 
through each of the loops, drawing up the free ends of the threads, 
which should in turn be tied securely on a similar piece of wood on 
that side. 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 307 

Punctured wounds. — Owing to the uncertainty of their depth and 
the structures they may involve, punctured wounds are by far tlie 
most dangerous and difficult to treat. Not only is the extent of the 
damage hidden from view, but the very character of the injury, as 
can be readily understood, implies at least the possibility of deep- 
seated inflammation and consequent discharge of pus (matter), which, 
when formed, is kept pent-up until it has accumulated to such an ex- 
tent that it burrows by simple gi'avity, as no other exit is possible. In 
this way foreign matters, such as a broken piece of the stake or snag, 
or whatever caused the wound, may be carried to an indefinite depth, 
or the cavity of a joint may be invaded and very serious, if not fatal, 
consequence supervene. 

The danger is especially marked when the injury is inflicted on 
parts liable to frequent and extensive motion, but all cases of punc- 
tured wounds should receive unusual care, as no judgment can be 
accurately formed from the external appearance of the wound. "VVHiile 
a probe can ascertain the depth, it throws but little light on the ex- 
tent or exact nature of the internal injury. For this reason all punc- 
tured wounds should invariably be carefully searched by means of a 
probe or some substitute devised for the occasion, such as a piece of 
wire with a smooth blunt end, or a piece of hard wood shaped for the 
purpose. Stitching is not admissible in the case of punctured wounds. 

If a punctured wound is not very deep, and when the bruising and 
laceration are slight, it is possible for healing to take place by adhe- 
sion, and this should always be encouraged, as the process of repair 
by this method is far superior to that by granulation, which will be 
referred to later. With this object in view, the animal should be kept 
as quiet as possible. A dose of physic, such as a pound of Glauber's 
or Epsom salt, should be administered, and warm fomentations or 
poultices, when this is practicable, applied, the surface of the wound 
being dressed twice a day with the ordinary white lotion, which is 
made as follows : 

Acetate of lead ounce 1 

Sulphate of zinc drams 6 

Water quart 1 

The lead and zinc should be put in a quart bottle with a pint of rain 
water and well shaken, when the balance of the water may be added. 

In wounds of this description the process of repair may be com- 
plicated by the appearance of exuberant granulations, popularly 
known as " proud flesh " or " dead flesh," but really an overgrowth of 
new tissue — granulation tissue; but these should not be interfered 
with unless they should continue after the acute stage of inflammation 
has been subdued. If, after this, they persist, they may be treated 
with a solution of sulphate of copper (bluestone) or nitrate of silver 
(lunar caustic) and water. Irritation, caused by an overinterference 



308 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

with the proceas of repair, and injudicious bandaging are potent fac- 
tors in bringing about this condition, and the discontinuance of either 
or both will often leave no necessity for special treatment. 

Contused or lacerated wounds. — These are usually caused by a 
blow with some blunt instrument, by the breaking of the flooring, or 
when an animal gets one of its limbs through or over the partition 
between the stalls. The seriousness depends largely on the depth of 
the injury, and treatment should be directed to allaying the inflam- 
mation and preventing the consequent tendency to sloughing. To this 
end soothing applications, such as fomentations and poultices, are 
plainly indicated. 

Methods of healing. — Technically these may be divided into a 
number of distinct processes, but practically we may speak of them as 
two only, namely, by primary union, or adhesion, and by granulation. 
As suppuration is not so liable to occur in cattle as in the horse, heal- 
ing by the former and more speedy process is much more common in 
the first-named species, more particularly in clean-cut or incised 
wounds, provided they have been stitched within twelve hours from 
the time the injury which caused them was inflicted, that they have 
been kept clean, and that the patient has by some means been kept 
fairly still. This latter stipulation is probably hardest to comply 
with. Quiet is an important factor in the process of repair among 
the lower animals as well as their masters, and the rule is none the 
less good because, unfortunately, it is more frequently honored in the 
breach than in the observance. Healing by this method is in some 
cases extraordinarily quick, union between the divided parts having 
been known to take plac€ as soon as twenty-four hours after their 
adjustment by the surgeon. 

The second method of healing, namely, by granulation, which is, 
however, the manner in which most wounds in animals heal, takes 
much longer time. In punctured wounds of any depth healing 
necessarily takes place in this way only, and the treatment should 
be directed largely to alleviating pain and moderating inflamma- 
tion. The former can be accomplished by opium applied locally in 
the form of the diluted tincture, or given internally in repeated small 
doses; and the latter by aconite or fluid extract of gelsemium, 25 to 
30 drops of either of which are given in the drinking water or 
dropped on the tongue at intervals, depending on the severity of 
the fever. 

After-treatment and dressing of wounds. — The dressing of 
wounds, whether they have been attended to by a veterinarian or not, 
is a matter which, in case of cattle, invariably devolves upon the 
owner or his employees. It must not, however, be inferred from this 
that the matter is of secondary importance. The dressing of wounds 
is one of the most important branches of veterinary surgery, and one 



SURGICAL. OPERATIONS. 309 

of the most constant difficulties that the practicing veterinarian has to 
contend with lies in the want of appreciation on the part of owners 
of the great importance of care and attention in the after treatment 
of wounds. It is for this reason that the writers are averse to 
closing this portion of their task without pointedly calling attention 
to the fact that it is very largely to skillful, patient, and careful 
dressing that satisfactory, recovery from most serious accidents is 
due, and this unswerving vigilance and solicitude we would bespeaTi 
not only for the injured parts, but for the general care of the animal 
and its surroundings. 

The first and foremost consideration in the dressing of a wound 
is the observance of scrupulous cleanliness. The most subtle medica- 
ments and antiseptics are worse than wasted if dirt claims a 50 per 
cent interest in the business, as is too often the case upon the farm 
where the care of an animal is relegated to ignorant and thought- 
less hired help. Unless an animal is in slings, straw and other 
foreign bodies, as well as blood and necessary discharges, usually 
adhere to a wound when it comes to be dressed. These should be 
carefidly freed from the wound by means of a sponge dipped in a 
2 per cent solution of carbolic acid. The sponge should not be 
brought into actual contact, but should be wrung out just above it, 
the water being allowed to trickle over the injured part. When the 
wound and the parts surrounding it have been thoroughly cleansed 
it may be dressed either with the " white lotion," the formula for 
which has already been given, or with a solution of chlorid of zinc, 
1 ounce to a quart of pure cold water. In cold weather the parts 
may be dressed with the following : Oxid of zinc ointment, 4 ounces ; 
compound tincture of benzoin, 2 drams; mix and keep the box 
covered. 

A single fold of ordinary cotton batting gently pressed over the 
ointment will cause it to remain adherent to the wounded part. In 
superficial excoriated wounds in cattle a very excellent first dressing 
(after thoroughly cleansing the wound) consists of iodoform (a com- 
pound of iodin and chloroform) blown on to the wound through a 
quill or a folded piece of stiff paper. This should be followed by 
a second dressing of pulverized aloes applied in the same way, 
which not only forms an artificial scab, but possesses the additional 
advantage of keeping off flies. 

There are several other applications which are efficacious, such as 
bichlorid of mercury, 1 part to 800 of water; boracic acid, 1 part to 
20 parts of water; carbolic acid, 1 part to water 30 parts; but the 
foregoing will be found as good as any. 

No good purpose can be served by applying to healthy wounds 
irritating mixtures of oils and acids, and an owner may safely make 
up his mind to the fact that whatever mixture he may use, no 



310 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

matter how successful it may have been, he is pretty sure to have a 
neighbor who will want to know the reason why he did not use 
something else. Whatever antiseptic is used, always recollect that 
cleanliness, rest, and attention constitute 50 per cent of the contest, 
and that the other half may safely be left to the restoring touch of 
nature. 

Barbed-wire cuts. — We have specified these simply because there 
exists in some sections of the country a fixed idea that there is a 
specific poison in barbed wire, causing injuries which require treat- 
ment differing from that which is applicable to ordinary wounds. 
Barbed-wire cuts differ from ordinary wounds only in the parts 
being often lacerated and torn, and the treatment already indicated 
for wounds of that description is applicable to them. 

CASTRATION. 

Castration consists of the removal of the essential organs of genera- 
tion. It is performed upon both the male and the female. In the 
male the organs removed are the testicles and in the female the 
ovaries. 

Castration in the male is performed for several different purposes. 
It may be necessary, as is the case in certain diseased conditions of 
the testicles and in strangulated hernia, but the usual object of the 
operation is to enhance the general value of the animal. For ex- 
ample, if the animal is intended for burden, the operation will better 
fit him for his work by so modifying his temperament and physical 
condition that he may easily be controlled by his master. Again, if 
he is merely to be used for beef purposes, the operation will improve 
the quality of the flesh. 

The operation upon the female may be performed on account of 
diseased conditions, but we may say that the chief object of the 
operation is to make the animal one of more profit to its owner by 
altering the lacteal secretion and also the physical condition. Advo- 
cates of this operation claim that a spayed cow will milk under favor- 
able conditions for a number of years continuously, and that the milk 
is greatly increased in richness. Careful tests, however, indicate that 
the value of this operation with dairy cows has been exaggerated. 
When the cow is spayed, it does away with all trouble attending 
estrum, or heat, gestation, and parturition with its accidents and ail- 
ments. The flesh of the spayed cow is more tender and juicy than 
that of the entire animal. 

The operation upon the male may be either the uncovered or the 
covered. In the former the incision is made down to the testicle 
proper, and in the latter the cut is made through the scrotum or the 
outside covering and through the dartos, or the next coat, care being 
taken to cut no deeper tissues or coats. The age at which the opera- 



SURGICAL, OPERATIONS. 311 

tion is performed varies, but usually it is performed between the 
second and third month. If done in early life, there is less danger of 
complications, the organs not being fully developed and in a latent 
condition. There are many different methods of operating, the prin- 
cipal ones of which we shall mention. In the uncovered operation a 
good free incision should be made, exposing the testicle completely. 
Now it may be removed by, simply cutting it off. The only danger 
of doing this is that hemorrhage is likely to follow. To obviate this, 
before the division of the spermatic cord it should be twisted several 
times in the following manner : Take hold of the spermatic cord with 
the left hand, having the cord between the thumb and the index 
finger. Now twist the free portion several times with the right hand, 
all the time being careful to push with the left hand toward the body 
of the animal. In this way the danger of injury to the cord during 
the animal's struggles will be overcome. The hemorrhage will be 
none, or very little, if it has been done properly. This is the most 
simple manner of torsion. There are forceps and other instruments 
made to perform the operation in this manner. Instead of practicing 
torsion in any of its ways to prevent hemorrhage, a ligature may be 
applied either directly to the spermatic artery from which the hemor- 
rhage comes or to the entire cord. Either a silk or a catgut ligature 
may be used. The actual cautery is an old method, but we shall not 
describe it, as we consider that we have better methods now. The 
next method with the clamps, although extensively used upon the 
horse, is not practiced to any great extent upon the bovine at the 
present time. It is a very old method, and is considered very safe. 
Clamps are used in the covered and uncovered operations. 

But more simple and better methods are now known for the castra- 
tion of the bull. A more modem method is by the ecraseur. The 
chain of the instrument is placed around the spermatic cord and 
tightened so as to crush the tissues, and thus prevent hemorrhage. 
The clamp and ligature are the methods principally employed in the 
covered operation, and in order thoroughly to understand this pro- 
cedure it will be necessary for the reader to have at least a crude 
anatomical knowledge of the parts. The former, or the uncovered, is 
the usual mode of operating, except in certain abnormal conditions. 

The operation of " mulling," or crushing, the spermatic cord is an 
unscientific and barbarous procedure, causing unnecessary pain and 
suffering. 

The above methods apply only to the animal in a normal condition. 
Before operating always examine and be sure that everything is as it 
should be. If otherwise, a special operative procedure will be neces- 
sary. Whichever mode of operation be adopted from a practical 
standpoint, the principal precautions to be taken in order to attain 
success are as follows : First, thorough cleanliness under strict aseptic 



312 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

and antiseptic precautions; second, a free and boldy made incision; 
third, the avoidance of undue pulling or tension upon the spermatic 
cord; fourth, free drainage, which can be maintained, provided the 
original incision has been properly made. 

CASTRATION OF THE FEMALE. 

Ovariotomy (spaying).— The operation should be performed 
when the cow is in her prime and giving her greatest flow of milk, 
care being taken that she is in good health and moderate condition, 
not too plethoric; or, on the other hand, she must not be at all 
anemic, and also that she be not in heat or pregnant. This opera- 
tion may be performed in one of two ways — namely, by the flank or 
by the vagina — each operation having its special advantages. In 
the flank operation the animal may be operated upon either while 
standing or while in the recumbent position. If standing, she should 
be placed against a wall or a partition and her head held by a strong 
assistant. The legs also must be secured to prevent the animal from 
kicking. A vertical incision should be made in the left flank, about 
the middle of the upper portion, care being taken not to make the 
opening too far down, in order to avoid the division of the circum- 
flex artery which traverses that region. The operator should now 
make an opening through the peritoneum, which is best done with 
the fingers. Next introduce the hand and arm into the abdominal 
cavity and direct the hand backward toward the pelvis, searching 
for the horns of the uterus. Follow them up and the ovaries will 
easily be found. They should then be drawn outward and may be 
removed either by the ecraseur or by torsion. Closing and suturing 
the wound will complete the operation. An adhesive plaster bandage 
can be beneficially applied. 

The operation by the vagina is more complicated and requires spe- 
cial and expensive instruments. The mode of procedure in brief is 
as follows : A speculum is introduced into the vagina, and an incision 
is made into the superior wall of that passage about 2 inches from 
the neck of the uterus, cutting from below upward and from before 
backward. Make an incision which should not exceed 3^ inches in 
length. The next step is to get possession of the ovaries. They are 
situated in a fold of the broad ligament and should be drawn care- 
fully into the vagina through the incision. Now take the long- 
handled scissors specially made for this purpose, with which the 
thick border of the broad ligament is divided. The torsion forceps 
are introduced and applied to the broad ligament above the ovary. 
The left hand is then introduced, and the thumb and the index finger 
grasp hold of the broad ligament above the forceps. Now commence 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 313 

with the right hand to apply torsion and thus remove the ovary. 
The other ovary may be removed in the same manner. 

The operation of castration is by no means a serious one, and when 
properly performed there is little danger from complications. 
Although the danger is trifling, the complications which may arise 
are sometimes of a serious nature. Hemorrhage, either primary or 
secondary, tetanus (or lockjaw), abscessCvS, hernia (or rupture), gan- 
grene, and peritonitis are the most serious complications that follow 
castration. Whichever complication arises will require its own spe- 
cial treatment, which we will not go into here, as it will be fully 
dealt with under another heading. We would add, however, that, 
generally speaking, the animal, after being castrated, should either 
be regularly exercised or be allowed freedom so that it can exercise 
itself. Drafts of cold air or sudden changes of the temperature are 
dangerous. The animal should be fed moderately, but of a diet 
easily digestible. 

Other surgical operations, not described in this chapter, may be 
found in other parts of this work by reference to the index. 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. 

Plate XXVI : 

Fig. 1. Reufifs method of throwing, or casting, the ox. From Fleming's 
Operative Veterinary Surgery. 

Fig. 2. Miles's method of throwing, or casting, the ox. From Fleming's 
Operative Veterinary Surgery. 
Plate XXVII : 

Fig. 1 a front and fig. 1 & side view of a simple tracheotomy tube. After 
Armatage, from Hill's Bovine Medicine and Surgery. This tube is 
inserted in the trachea, or windpipe, in cases of threatened suffoca- 
tion from obstructions in the upper portion of the air passage. 

Fig. 2 shows the tracheotomy tube applied and held in position by straps 
around the neck. After Armatage, from Hill's Bovine Medicine and 
Surgery. 

Fig. 3 represents an ordinary fleam with blades of different sizes. 

Fig. 4. Cow prepared for bleeding. A cord is tied firmly about the lower 
portion of the neck, causing the jugular vein to become distended 
with blood and swell out. 
Plate XXVIII : 

Figs. 1 and 2. Seton needles. These may be either long or short, straight 
or curved, according to the locality in which a seton is to be inserted. 

Fig. 3. Various forms of surgical needles. 

Fig. 4. Suture forceps or needle holder, for passing needles through thick 
and dense tissues. 

Fig. 0. Knot properly tied. 

Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Various forms of sutures. Fig. 6, interrupted suture ; 7, 
quilled suture; 8, uninterrupted suture; 9, twisted suture, made by 
passing suture pins through the parts to be held together an.d winding 
the thread about them so as to represent the figure 8; 10, single-pin 
suture. 

Fig. 11. Appliance for ringing the bull, one-fourth natural size. 

Fig. 12. Nose clamp, with spring and keeper. 

814 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XXVI. 




JULIUS BIEN CO.N.* 



Devices for Casting Cattle. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxvii 




Tracheotomy and Venesection. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XXVI I 




Surgical Instruments and Sutures. 



TUMOES AFFECTING CATTLE. 

By John R. Mohleb, V. M. D., 

Chief of Pathological Division, Bureau of Animal Industry. 

[Synonyms: New growth, neoplasm, neoformation, pseudoplasm, swelling, and 
hyperplasia.] 

Defmition. — Tumors ^ are abnormal masses of tissue, noninflamma- 
tory and independent in character, arising, without obvious cause, 
from cells of preexistent tissue, possessing no physiologic function, 
and characteristically unrestrained in growth and structure. 

Tumors are abnormal masses of tissue. The application of the 
term " tumor " is directly connected with the fact that they produce 
local enlargement. 

They are noninflammatory; that is, the process of inflammation is 
not directly the cause or accompaniment of them. An inflammatory 
new growth tends to disappear upon the subsidence of the inflamma- 
tory process, while spontaneous disappearance of a tumor is compar- 
atively rare. 

Tumors are independent. For instance, their nutrition bears no 
relation to the nutrition of the body. A lipoma, or fatty tumor, in 
the subcutaneous tissue may go on increasing to huge bulk while the 
body is steadily emaciating. Again, the tissues of the aged gradually 
undergo atrophy, yet cancers arise at this time and grow rapidly. 

Tumors are unrestrained in growth and structure. In the develop- 
ment of an animal we know at what period of its existence the mass 
of tissue called liver will develop — what its site, structure, and size 
will be. We know that it will remain only in that locality, and not, 
as it were, colonize throughout the system. With tumors it is differ- 
ent; there are no laws by which we can forecast the time, place, 
nature, or size of development of them. There is no cartilage in the 
kidney or parotid gland, yet a chondroma, or cartilage tumor, may 
develop in either. Even when a new growth of tissue is started by 
an injury and consequent inflammation — as, for instance, proud 

1 The term " tumor " literally means a swelling, and thus has been applied to the 
prominence caused by an overdistended bladder, to the enlargement of pregnancy, to the 
swelling produced by an abscess, to the overgrowth of tissue (hyperplasia) associated 
with injury and consequent inflammation, and to numerous other phases of tissue enlarge- 
ment directly connected with recognized disease processes. For this reason it is becoming 
more common for scientists to apply the word " neoplasm " to the new growths described 
in this chapter. Because of the still popular use of the word " tumor," it is retained In 
this chapter for the designation of those new growths to which the sevenfold characteri- 
zation of our descriptive definition applies. 

315 



316 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

flesh — there is a limitation of its size. But the controlling influences 
which govern the size of an organ or normal mass of tissue and limit 
the extent of an inflammatory overgrowth are all absent in the case 
of tumors. They are unrestrained, lawless. 

Metastasis expresses the lawlessness of tumors as regards being 
limited to the original site of development. Small particles of tu- 
mors enter the blood vessels or lymph streams and are carried to 
distant parts of the body, where they lodge and start new tumor 
formations. Expansion by colonization in this manner is a rule with 
many tumors ; and, since they exercise no function of use to the organ- 
ism, this dissemination of actively growing particles becomes a 
menace to the system by numerically increasing the body's burden, 
opening new channels of drain upon the system, and adding new 
centers for the absorption of putrefactive materials when the sec- 
ondary tumors shall have degenerated. It is this which makes me- 
tastasis such an important element in the malignancy of tumors. 

Tumors possess no physiological function. They are absolutely 
useless. Fibrous tumors bind no parts of the organism together; 
bony tumors add nothing to the supporting framework of the body; 
the tissue of fatty tumors never serves as a storehouse of food and 
energy; the cells of an adenoma, or gland tumor, furnish no secre- 
tion; a tumor composed of muscle tissue secures no increase to the 
strength of the individual — its muscle cells are not contractile. 

Tumors arise from cells of preexistent tissue. Tiunor tissue is not 
a new variety of tissue. Whatever the structure of a tumor, its 
counterpart is found among the tissues of the body, the lawlessness 
of the tumor, however, showing itself in more or less departure from 
the normal type. This departure is usually a reversion to a more 
elementary or embiyonic stage, so that the tumor tissues may be said 
to be structurally immature. 

Tumors arise without obvious cause. Concerning the ultimate 
cause of tumor formation we are absolutely ignorant. Various 
theories have been advanced from time to time, but none of them 
have been applicable to more than a limited number of cases. The 
most important theories may be briefly mentioned. 

(1) The theory of tumoi' diathesis. — Bilroth taught that tumors 
are due to a peculiar predisposition consisting of a diseased state of 
the fluids of the body. This constitutional taint might be acquired, 
but, having been acquired, is also hereditary. This theory is known 
also as the heredity hypothesis; but, while it is true that heredity 
appears to play some role in the causation of certain neoplasms, its 
application is too limited to make it of value. 

(2) The mechmvical or irritant theory. — Virchow assumed that 
tumors arise as the result of previous irritation of the part. This has 
been noticed particularly in the case of certain cancers. They fre- 



TUMORS AFFECTING CATTLE. 317 

quently develop on the edges of old ulcers, thus being dependent 
apparently on chronic irritation. Cancer of the lip in pipe smokers 
is a case in point. Cancerous tumors of the skin often develop on 
the arms of workers in paraffin, tar, and soot, the chemical irritation 
of these substances being the cause. On the contrary, the proportion 
of those thus affected among the exposed is very small and forces the 
conclusion that if the real cause were in the irritation vastly more 
cases would occur. 

(3) The. theonj of nervous infjuence. — This is based upon (a) the 
observed fact that tumors occur more frequently in man and the 
higher animals than in those lower in the scale, among which the 
nervous system is less highly developed; (5) that certain formations 
seem to be directly connected with nerve distribution, while others 
have been associated with alternations in neighboring nerve trunks. 

(4) The emhryonal theon^. — This is known also as Cohnheim's 
hypothesis. In early fetal life there occurs a production of cells in 
excess of what is required for the construction of the various parts of 
the body, so that a certain number of them are left over in the fully 
developed tissue or become misplaced during the sorting of cells for 
future development of tissues and organs. These cells lie dormant 
until favorable conditions arise or some sufficient stimulus is applied, 
when, released from their inactivity, they begin to reproduce and 
grow. Not being normally related to their site, they lack the control- 
ling and limiting influences of the part, and, their embryonic charac- 
ter induing them with a most potent proliferating power, they de- 
velop in a lawless and unrestrained manner. There are tumors whose 
existence can be explained only on these grounds. Still, this theory 
falls far short of answering the question as to the origin of tumors. 

(5) The parasitic theory. — This is not only one of the latest, but, 
merely as a hypothesis, it is the most attractive and plausible of all. 
The serious objections to it, however, are the almost uniform failure 
that has met the attempts to transplant these tumors from one animal 
to another and the absence of any constant variety of organism in 
them. Several forms of parasites have been found in certain tumors, 
but nothing definite has been shown with reference to the relation 
they bear to the causation of the neoplasm. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

In Senn's work on tumors occurs the following: "A uniform system 
of classification of tumors is one of the great wants of modern pathol- 
ogy^ and all attempts in this direction have proved failures." It 
would be folly, therefore, to burden the pages of a work of this kind 
with one or several of the proposed systems which have, admittedly, 
at some important point, failed of their purpose. Since the value of 



318 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

this chapter depends chiefly upon its practical character, which in 
turn is measured by its aid in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, 
the old but important clinical division is here adopted. 

Tumors are either malignant or benign. The essential difference 
between the two classes is that while benign tumors depend for 

THEIR ILL EFFECTS ENTIRELY UPON THEIR SITUATION. MALIGNANT 
NEOPLASMS WHEREVER LOCATED INEVITABLY DESTROY LIFE. The 

clinical features of each group are in many cases sufficiently marked 
to distinguish them. 

MALIGNANT TUMORS. 

(1) These are invariably pernicious and from the beginning tend 
to destroy life. 

(2) The cellular element predominates^ therefore they grow 
rapidly. 

(3) Possessing no capsule, they infiltrate surrounding tissues. 

(4) They infect adjacent lymph glands. 

(5) They recur even after complete removal. 

(6) They give metastasis; that is, they become disseminated in dif- 
ferent organs. 

(7) Their presence develops a progressive emaciation. 

BENIGN TUMORS. 

(1) These in and of themselves do not tend to produce death. 

(2) As the cellular element is not apt to predominate, they grow 
slowly. 

(3) They are encapsulated, and when diffuse do not infiltrate sur- 
rounding tissues. 

(4) They do not infect adjacent lymph glands. 

(5) They do not recur after complete removal. 

(6) They do not manifest metastasis. 

Benign tumors, though harmless, may, by the accident of their 
location, indirectly produce death. Mere pressure on the brain sub- 
stance of an otherwise innocent tumor, compression of the blood sup- 
ply for vital organs, growth in such manner as to cause obstruction 
in the alimentary tract or pressure upon nerves, may cause death, or, 
prior to death, so combine the effects of anemia (deficiency of blood), 
starvation, and pain, with its consequent restlessness, as to produce a 
veritable cachexia. 

On the other hand, a malignant tumor in its primary growth may 
so implicate a vital organ as to destroy life before metastasis can 
occur or even before cachexia can develop. Thus, to the untrained 
observer, environment may so operate as to cause these two classes 



TUMORS AFFECTING CATTLE. 319 

of new growths to simulate each other. The boundary lines may 
seem to overlap. It is here that the microscope^ as the court of last 
appeal, adjudicates positively in the diagnosis between these two 
clearly marked divisions. 

It may almost be asserted that a tnie classification of tumors can 
not be made until we know more about the cause of them. The 
arrangement here presented is offered to meet the practical needs of 
the veterinarian, student, and farmer rather than the pathologist. 

We may roughly divide the tissues of the body into structural and 
lining tissues. The structural tissues are composed of the tissues of 
special function and simple connective tissues. The lining or cover- 
ing tissues, both internal and external, are known as epithelium. 

Section A of the table below contains the true tumors or proper 
neoplasms. 

Section B includes the cysts, some of which are true tumors, while 
others are false tumors, but the latter are added because of their gross 
resemblance to the true tumors and the consequent necessity of con- 
sidering them at the same time. 

TUMORS AND CYSTS. 
A. TUMOES. 

Benign : 

I. — Tumors composed of tissues resemMing tJwse of special function. 

1. Type of muscle tissue Myoma. 

2. Type of nerve tissue Neuroma. 

3. Type of vascular tissue Angioma. 

4. Type of gland tissue Adenoma. 

II. — Tunvors com^sed of fully developed cormective tissue. 

1. Type of fibrous tissue Fibroma. 

2. Type of adipose, or fat, tissue Lipoma. 

3. Type of cartilage tissue Chondroma. 

4. Type of osseous, or bone, tissue Osteoma. 

5. Type of neuroglia, or nerve, sheath Glioma. 

6. Type of mucoid, or mucous, tissue Myxoma. 

Malignant : 

III. — Tumors composed of embryonic or im/mature cormective tissues. 

1. Type of immature connective tissue Sarcoma. 

2. Type of endothelial tissue Endothelioma. 

IV. — Tumors in which epithelial elements predominate. 
1. Type of various epithelial cells and associated tissues Carcinoma. 



320 DISEASES OF CATTL.E. 

B. Cysts. 

I. — Cysts lohich develop in preexisting cavities. 

1 Retention cysts. 

2 Proliferation cysts. 

II. — Cysts which are of congenital origin and are true tumors. 
1 Dermoid cysts. 

III. — Cysts ivhich oHginate independently as the result of pathological changes 

and are nontumorous. 

1. Cysts formed by the softening and disintegration of lesions Softening cysts. 

2. Cysts formed around parasites Parasitic cysts. 

3. Cysts formed by an outpouring of blood and lymph into the tissue spaces with 

subsequent encapsulation of the fluid ^ Extravasation cysts. 

Terminology. — The principle of naming tumors is quite simple. 
The Greek word "oma" (plural "omata") means tumor. This word 
" oma " is added to the stem of the word ordinarily used to designate 
the kind of tissue of which the tumor is composed. Thus a tumor 
formed after the type of fibrous tissue is a fibroma. The only excep- 
tion to this is in the naming of the two large classes of malignant 
neoplasms. There the names were formed from the flesh-like appear- 
ance of the one and the crab-like proliferations of the other — namely, 
Sarcoma (sarks=: flesh), carcinoma (karkinos=crab). 

Diagnosis. — In the diagnosis of tumors note is taken of ( 1 ) clinical 
history and (2) examination of the tumor. 

(1) Clinical history. — Circumstances connected with the origin of 
the tumor and its rapidity of growth may point to an inflammatory 
swelling rather than a tumor. The location of the tumor at its com- 
mencement is important, as, for instance, in diagnosing between 
lipoma and carcinoma^ the former being more or less movable imder 
the skin, while a carcinoma develops in the skin. While tenderness 
on pressure may be caused by compression of a sensitive nerve by a 
tumor or by tumors of the nerve or nerve sheaths, as a rule this 
symptom is indicative of inflammatory swelling rather than the 
existence of a tumor. 

(2) Dii'ect examination of the tumor. — In the application of this 
diagnosis the trained observer will note color, size, shape, and surface 
structure, transmission of light, movableness, consistence, resistance, 
pulsation, and crepitation. Percussion, auscultation, and exploration 
are also available methods. Finally, microscopic examination of the 
growing portions of the tumor by a pathologist will be found most 
satisfactory. 

GENERAL. TREATMENT OF TUMORS. 

For benign tumors treatment is required only when it damages the 
animal's value or when merely for sake of appearance. When it is * 
possible, the removal of the tumor by an operation is indicated. If 



TUMORS AFFECTING CATTLE. 321 

the tumor has a small constricted base, remove by torsion, ligation, or 
with an ecraseur. Ligation following the incision of the skin with a 
knife avoids the pain of pressing on the sensitive nerves of the skin 
and is suitable for tumors of broad base and small bodies. A firing 
iron, such as is used in line or feather firing, may also be used in 
removing tumors with small attachments. This not only stops the 
bleeding but forms a firm scab, under which healing may occur 
rapidly. Those tumors that can not be removed by the above methods 
may be treated with caustics or acids, such as sulphuric acid, hydro- 
chloric acid, caustic potash, arsenic, silver nitrate, or chromic acid, 
but it is difficult to limit the action of these drugs. The injection 
into the tumor of certain chemicals, such as aniline dyes, alcohol, 
acetic acid, citric acid, or ergotine, is of doubtful value, as is also the 
injection of the germs of erysipelas — ^thought by some to be a specific. 
Certain specific tumors, such as actinomycosis and botryomycosis, may 
be successfully treated by the internal administration of potassium 
iodid, together with the injection into the tumor or the painting of 
its surface with Lugol's solution or the tincture of iodin. The most 
reliable means of treating tumors is by extirpation with cutting in- 
struments. Dissect the tumor from the surrounding tissue, ligating 
all the larger blood vessels, and tearing the tissues, with the fingers 
rather than cutting with a knife. The bleeding may be stopped with 
a hot iron. The aftertreatment is the same as for any ordinary 
wound of similar size. 

DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL TUMORS. 

Although a full list of the tumors that may be found in bovines has 
been given above, there are a number that warrant a detailed descrip- 
tion, and the following mention will be made of the most important 
of them : 



These ti^mors are after the type of muscle. They are sharply cir- 
cumscribed, and, as a rule, are very hard, a condition due usually to 
combination with fibroma, and are then known as fibromyoma. In 
fact, the clinical difterentiation between myoma and fibroma is almost 
impossible. Myomas are found in the uterus, vagina, stomach, intes- 
tines, gullet, and bladder of cattle. They grow very large, but, as a 
rule, are benign. Treatment should consist of their removal. 

NEUROFIBROMA. 

A true neuroma built up of nerve fibers and nerve cells is infre- 
quent, if it ever occurs, in cattle. False neuromas, or neurofibromas, 
are knotty spreading tiunors of the size of a large potato, which are 
developed within the nerve sheaths and composed of nerve fibers and 
16923°— 12 21 



322 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

connective tissue bands interlaced. The commingling of these varied 
fibers is often so intricate that separation is practically impossible. 
This tumor is most frequently found upon the shoulder of cattle. 
Treatment is surgical. 

ANGIOMA. 

The angiomas are tumors composed mainly of blood vessels or 
blood spaces, and are observed on the skin of man, vrhere they are 
called " birthmarks " or " mother marks." Cavernous angiomas are 
seen in cattle, affecting the liver and the mucous membrane of the 
nasal septum. In the liver they appear as smooth, flat, nonprojecting 
tumors of a dark-red or purple color and of about the size of a silver 
10-cent piece. They are somewhat softer in consistency than the 
adjoining liver substance, into which they are gradually fused. 
These tumors are frequently observed by meat inspectors in livers 
of slaughtered cattle. Treatment of angioma is unnecessary. 

ADENOMA. 

The structure of this tumor is after the type of gland tissue. It is 
rarely seen in cattle except in combination with cancer or sarcoma. 
A growth which occurs more frequently in bovines, especially calves, 
and which in some instancas bears a striking resemblance to an 
adenoma, is the so-called goiter. 

GOITEE (struma). 

This is a noninflammatory enlargement or a hyperplasia of the thy- 
roid gland. While it can not be definitely classed among tumors, 
yet, owing to its resemblance to the latter, it will be discussed at this 
time. The cause of goiter has never been definitely ascertained. 
Among the most probable causes may be mentioned heredity, insuffi- 
cient and improper diet, close confinement, unhygienic surroundings, 
and an unknown toxic substance which is supposed to obtain in those 
localities rich in magnesium and lime salts. Certain organisms found 
in goiter have been suspected of producing this trouble, but their 
relation to the disease has not been satisfactorily proved. A goiter 
may consist of (1) simple enlargement of the follicles which are filled 
with albuminous matter (follicular goiter) ; (2) an increase of con- 
nective tissues between the follicles, causing the swelling to be dense 
and resistant (fibrous goiter) ; (3) a great increase in size of one or 
more follicles, forming a cyst (cystic goiter) ; (4) great dilatation of 
the blood vessels in the gland accompanied by pulsation with each 
heart beat (vascular goiter). 

Symptoms. — Goiter may be observed at the side of the throat, 
reaching the size of a fist or even larger, or it may hang down below 



TUMORS AFFECTING CATTLE. 323 

the windpipe. In cattle the two thyroid glands are close together, 
and when the disease affects both there may be but one uniform swell- 
ing placed in front of the windpipe below the angle of the jaw. This 
swelling may be hard, soft, or doughy in consistence, and it may pul- 
sate like an artery with each beat of the heart. It may cause labored 
breathing by pressure on the windpipe, and death may result from 
pressure on this structure, on the gullet, or on the adjoining large 
vessels. 

Treatment. — In young animals the treatment is usually satisfactory, 
and consists in giving the animal a complete change of food and 
plenty of exercise in the open air. If the condition appears enzootic 
in the district, remove the animal to another location when possible, 
lodin should be applied to the swelling, either in the form of oint- 
ment or the tincture. Injections of iodin solution, 5 grains of iodin 
in 1 dram of 25 per cent alcohol, may also be made into the substance 
of the gland. When the swelling which follows this injection has 
subsided it may be repeated. Potassium iodid should be given 
internally in 1^-dram doses twice daily for a cow, or in 20-grain doses 
twice a day for a calf. Extirpation of all but a small section of the 
swelling may be accomplished by a qualified veterinarian with good 
results; but if it should be entirely removed, myxedema and death 
follow. 

FIBROMA. 

Fibromas are tumors made up chiefly of connective tissue and are 
usually confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Indurative 
fibromas of the skin appear as tumors of gelatinous connective tissue 
or as firm white vascular connective tissue growths, which are more or 
less sharply outlined, move readily over the underlying tissues in 
company with the skin, and owe their origin to mechanical injuries, 
perforating wounds, repeated abrasions, or the invasion of pus cocci 
or botryomyces into the tissues. 

These tumors in cattle are frequently found upon the dewlap as 
solid lumps, hard as stone to the touch, lying loosely between the 
layers of skin, and gradually losing themselves in the softer tissues of 
the neck above, or as smooth, hard tumors of glistening white sub- 
stance with interlacing lines of softer tissue. They may also be 
found located in the region of the knee or at the elbow. The skin 
over the growths, in accordance with the originating cause, will be 
found chafed, covered with scabs, or even ulcerated and accompanied 
by collateral edema. 

These connective tissue tumors grow slowly, but reach enonnous 
size. They sometimes follow injuries to the region of the throat, and 
form there as hard, firm growths, even reaching the size of a child's 
head. 



324 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

A fibroma located upon the larynx is not an infrequent occuirence 
in the ox. These tumors are always sharply outlined and have a 
roughened surface. They may be differentiated from actinomycotic 
tumors (see chajDter on " Infectious diseases of cattle," p. 371) in the 
same location by their firm fibrous structure and by the absence of pus 
from the interior. 

A tumor is sometimes met upon the muzzle of cattle, which assumes 
a diameter equaling the width of the muzzle. It is a voluminous con- 
nective tissue formation known by the name of " fibroma diffusum." 

Another form is sometimes observed upon the tongue. It grows 
upon a broad, spreading base, becoming very hard. It is almost 
lacking in blood vessels, although the few that are present are plainly 
in view, and in consequence is poorly supplied with fluids. It is of 
a smooth contour, white or whitish yellow in color, is sharply limited 
from the normal substance of the tongue, may be covered with 
mucous membrane, on which prominent papillae are located, or only 
by a thin, delicate layer of epithelium, and is usually found in the 
middle part of the tongue, where it may reach the size of two fists. 

Pedunculate, or stenamed, fibrous tumors are frequently noticed 
growing upon or near the extremity of the tails of cows. These are 
apparently of traumatic origin, such as tying the tail fast while milk- 
ing, or shaving it too closely while trimming the animal for show pur- 
poses, and usually contain bloody or gelatinous material within, or, 
again, they may be strongly edematous throughout. 

TreatTnent. — The treatment of large fibromas is surgical, and con- 
sists of the operative removal of the tumor, followed by suturing of 
the wound. Small external tumors may be painted with zinc chlo- 
rid, chromic acid, or a concentrated solution of bichlorid of mercury. 

PAPILLOMA (wart). 

When fibromas develop from the lining or covering tissues they 
frequently form papillary growths, more or less thickly covered 
with epithelium, and are then called papillomas, or warts. 

Papillomas consist of villous-like projections, resulting from a 
proliferation of the outer layer (epithelium) of the skin or mucous 
membrane. These growths are also called " angle berries," and 
may assume a variety of forms. Sometimes there is a preponder- 
ance of epidermis in the formation, and the tumor then appears 
as a hard, dense, insensitive, club-like growth, or wart. Again 
the swelling is chiefly located in the derm, or true skin, and we 
have what is known as a flesh wart (verucca carnea). In other 
cases the growth of papillar bodias projects in great cauliflower-like 
tumors with deeply furrowed and lobulated surface, over which a 
covering of epidermis may or may not be present. These are usually 



TUMORS AFFECTING CATTL.E. 325 

much softer and are well supplied with blood vessels. It is not 
uncommon for them to be pedunculate or stemmed, and in this case 
considerable rotary motion or twisting is possible. Their color is 
cloudy gray or grayish red, tvith white bands of connective tissue 
radiating from the center. Their consistence varies. They undergo 
upon their surfaces and within their clefts and fissures retrogressive 
changes, softening, bleeding, or ulcerations, 

A favorite location for' the papilloma in cattle is the udder and 
teats, where they may develop in such numbers as to cover completely 
the entire surface and make the animal troublesome to milk. The 
sides of the head, neck, and shoulders also afford satisfactory con- 
ditions for their growth, and are frequently seen to be affected by 
them. 

Treatment. — Warts may be removed with the scissors or twisted off 
with the fingers or ligatured by means of a rubber band or horse- 
hair. Their roots should then be cauterized with tincture of iron, 
glacial acetic acid, or lunar caustic. Acids should never be used in 
removing warts about the eyes or in the mouth. Papillomas of the 
eyelids sometimes change to cancers and should be removed by taking 
out a wedge-shaped section of the eyelid. Young cattle should be 
given arsenic internally in the form of Fowler's solution, 1 table- 
spoonful twice a day for a 6-months-old calf. 

POLTPS. 

These are usually fibromas or myxomas, occurring on the mucous 
membrane of the nasal passages or genital tract. They grow upon 
a narrow stem, bleed readily when injured, and often contain a 
center of thin, limpid fluid. A bloody discharge is sometimes seen 
coming from the affected nostril, but this is not always easy of 
detection in cattle, owing to the pliancy of their tongues and to their 
habit of licking an irritated nostril. Usually these tumors grow 
downward and may project from the nostril, causing snoring sounds 
and uneasy breathing. They may occasionally force themselves back- 
ward into the throat, where they interfere seriously with respiration, 
the patient being obliged to breathe with an effort, and even forced 
to cough in order to dislodge temporarily the obstruction from the 
larynx. Such tumors, when located near the nostril, may easily be 
removed by the use of forceps or a loop made of baling wire. Serious 
bleeding is not liable to follow their removal, but an astringent wash, 
such as a solution of the perchlorid of iron, if applied to the cut 
surface, will be found veiy beneficial. In case the tiraior is not 
within easy reach, the services of a qualified veterinarian should be 
obtained to perform the necessary operation. 



326 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



This is a tumor consisting chiefly of fat cells. The growth is 
irregularly rounded and distinctly lobulated, very soft, and almost 
fluctuating. It is insensitive, grows slowly, and is always inclosed 
in a distinct fibrous capsule, from wliich it can be easily shelled out. 
It may become very large and often hangs pendulous from a long 
elastic pedicle. In cattle this tumor may be found in the subcu- 
taneous tissues, especially of the back and shoulders, uterus, and 
intestines, and in the latter position it may cause strangulation, or 
" gut tie," by winding around a loop of the intestine. 

Treatment. — When found on the skin the tumor may be readily 
removed with a knife or by a ligature. Caustics and the cautery 
produce wounds that heal slowly and can not be recommended in the 
treatment of this tumor. 

CHONDEOMA. 

This tumor formation is composed of cartilage cells. It is a 
rounded and very often unevenly nodular and sharply described 
tumor. It is very hard, dense, elastic, and painless and develops 
principally where we find normal cartilage cells. It is rare in 
cattle, but has been found in the subcutaneous tissues and nasal 
cavities. 

TreaPmeni, — Extirpation. ■ 

OSTEOMA (BONT TUMOB). 

Bones may occasionally grow in such a profuse and irregular 
manner that the product, or osteophyte, assumes the character of a 
tumor. The bone tissue may possess either spongj' or compact prop- 
erties and grow either from the periphery of the bone or within its 
interior. These tumors most frequently appear about the head of 
the animal, either upon the jawbones, within the nasal passages, or 
in connection with the horns. They are usually of bony hardness, 
painless, benign, and sharply outlined. 

Treatment. — The treatment consists in either removing them with 
a saw, chisel, or trepliine, or preventing their further development 
by counterirritation with blisters or firing iron. 

MYXOMA. 

Characteristic myxomas are mucoid tumors which chiefly originate 
from the mucous membrane and are especially to be found within 
the nasal passages and uterus of cattle. They can reach a size of 
three fists, are smooth or velvetlike, or may be lobulated, broad at the 
base, and consist of a glassy-looking mass of connective tissue, which 



TUMORS AFFECTING CATTLE. 327 

usually shows a distinctive yellowish color. Being homogeneous and 
elastic, the moist, jellylike tissue composing the tumor may be easily 
destroyed or crushed. When cut through, these tumors soon collapse 
from the loss of their fluids. They sometimes inclose elliptical cavi- 
ties filled with slimy, gelatinous masses. 
Treatment. — Extirpation. 

SARCOMA. 

This is a malignant tumor after the type of embryonal tissue, and 
consists of several varieties, such as the round cell, spindle cell, 
giant cell, alveolar, and melano sarcoma. They grow by preference 
in connective tissue and are quit© vascular. Sarcomas appear either 
as single or multiple nodules, varying in size from a hempeeed to a 
hazelnut, or else as a moderate number of tumors of the size of hen 
Qgg?^. Their surface, at first smooth, becomes later lumpy and tuber- 
ous from internal degeneration. Secondary nodules may appear 
near the primary tumor. The outer skin is not involved as soon as 
in cancer, nor does ulceration follow so rapidly. Sarcoma is about 
the most frequent and dangerous tumor that is found in cattle. It 
occurs in young animals, and is found on the serous membranes, in 
the glandular organs, and on the outer skin, especially of the neck 
and shoulders — in fact, in nearly every tissue and in almost every 
i:»art of the body. This tumor is often found in places exposed to 
traumatisms and at seats of scars, or of irritations from pressure and 
inflammation. 

Treatment. — Treatment should consist in early and complete re- 
moval by the knife, including one-half or three-quarters of an inch 
of the sound tissue adjoining the tumor. If there is a possibility 
that sarcomatous tissue still remains, either cauterize the wound with 
a hot iron or powder the walls of the cavity with arsenious acid. 

CANCER (carcinoma). 

Cancers are tumors of epithelial tissues and are malignant. There 
are several varieties of cancers, such as hard, soft, and colloid, but 
only those growing on the surface will be mentioned here. These 
malignant tumors of the superficial organs develop primarily from 
the epidermis or from the glands of the skin. They appear second- 
arily as spreading infections from milk glands, thyroids, anal glands, 
or as embolisms. In such cases their sole character depends wholly 
upon the kind of cancer from which they have sprung. The infil- 
trating cancer begins as an elevation of the skin, which progresses 
until it becomes rough and nodular. The surface later becomes 
attacked, and an ulcer results whose edges are outlined by a hard, 
firm zone. 



328 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The ulcerations may remain limited by cicatricial tissue, but i* is 
more likely that the infiltration and destruction of tissue will 
spread out wider and deeper until a rodent ulcer (so called) is 
formed. One of the most frequent sites of cancer in cattle is in the 
eye, where they are called fungus hematodes, but they also occur on 
the skin, on the genitals, in the stomach, and within the organs. 

Fungus hematodes. — This starts at the inner corner of the eye as 
a papillary elevation or as small nodules which become fused. They 
grow larger and become papillomatous, with superficial ulcerations 
and a tendency toward hemorrhage. In some cases the eye is dis- 
placed by the growing tumor or is attacked by the cancer cells and 
entirely destroyed. 

Cancerous growths upon the external genitals and the anus usually 
present a rough, irregular surface from which there is a constant 
sloughing of decomposed tissue accompanied by a penetrating, dis- 
agreeable odor. 

The diagnosis of cancer may be made clinically by noting the 
simultaneous infection of the lymph glands which surround the pri- 
mary lesion. Deeply burrowing and infiltrating forms which ap- 
pear as lumps and ulcerations cause marked disfiguration of the 
affected part. The surface becomes a soft, greasy mass; later it 
cracks open and from the fissures blood-colored pus exudes, being 
continually formed by the moist degeneration of the tissues beneath. 
At first the general health of the animal does not appear affected, 
but later the cancer nodules spread to important organs and give 
rise to marasmus and progressive emaciation. Cancer is not a fre- 
quent tumor of cows. Frohner states that of 75 cases of tumors 
which came under his observation in cattle, 2, or 2.6 per cent, were 
found to be cancers, while 20, or 26.6 per cent, were sarcomas. 

Treatment. — Treatment consists in the early and complete removal 
of the tumor, taking care to include a wide border of healthy tissue. 
This has been most successful in such superficial cancers as those of 
the eye, penus, anus, testicle, vulva, and sheath. If the disease has 
advanced too far, this treatment may not prove efficacious, owing to 
the great malignancy of the cancer and its tendency to recur. In 
such cases the animal may be slaughtered, but the flesh should be 
used for food only after inspection by a competent veterinarian. 

CYSTS. 

Cysts may be true or false tumors and consist of a capsule contain- 
ing a fluid or semisolid content. Among the most important cysts, 
which have been briefly referred to in a previous table, the following 
are probably the most noteworthy, owing to the frequency with which 
they are found in bovines: 



TUMORS AFFECTING CATTLE. 329 

SOFTENING CYSTS. 



Softening cysts, which result from the degenerative liquefaction of 
normal or diseased tissues, especially of tumors of different kinds, 
followed by the encapsulation of the fluid. 



PARASITIC CYSTS. 



Parasitic or foreign-body cysts, due to the inflammatory reaction 
induced by such parasites as the echinococcus (hydatid cyst) or by 
the presence of various kinds of foreign bodies. 



EXTRAVASATION CYSTS. 



Extravasation cysts, caused by injuries which rupture blood ves- 
sels, followed by an increase of fibrous tissue which forms a capsule 
about the fluid. The hygromata in front of the knee in cattle, so- 
called tumor of the knee, and serous cysts belong to this variety. 

Hygromata^ or tumors of the hnee. — ^These consist in the simplest 
form of a collection of serous fluid mixed with fibrin within a dis- 
tended bursa. The walls surrounding the fluid become firm, smooth, 
and dense. 

Outwardly the tumor appears fluctuating, though tense, while the 
skin which covers it may be normal, denuded of hair, or covered with 
hard epidermal scales, possibly half an inch in thickness, forming a 
hard, horny plate. The cavity which contains the fluid may have the 
dimensions of a hen's Q,gg^ an apple, or a child's head. Its walls are 
formed by the diseased secreting membrane of the bursal sac, and are 
readily detachable from the subcutis of the skin. Their internal sur- 
faces are often uneven or supplied with projections or tufted growths 
which support a fibrous network within the tumor. 

Tumors of the knee may also assume a granular type, as the result 
of chronic inflammation or following operative or spontaneous evacua- 
tion of pus from the part. They are either firmly connected with the 
skin or are detachable from it, and, when laid open, disclose a whitish 
red, pork-like tissue surrounding a central nucleus of pus, or a fistu- 
lous tract leading to the outer surface. They are caused by the 
chronic inflammation which follows the bruises received by cattle in 
lying down and in rising or they may be due to falls on uneven, hard 
ground. 

Treatment for hygromata. — ^When the swelling first appears cold 
water should be applied, followed later by bandaging with cloths 
wrung out of warm water. If the swelling is soft, it should be punc- 
tured at the lowest point, and afterwards the cavity should be 
syringed with Lugol's solution. If the tumor is hard and non- 
fluctuating, a mercurial blister might cause absorption and at the 



330 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

same time prevent further injury to the part by making it more 
painful, thus sparing it. 

Serous cysts. — These swellings are another variety of extravasation 
cysts, and are due to such injuries as butting, running against hard 
objects, and shipping bruises, which are followed by an outpouring 
of blood and lymph into the tissue spaces. These cysts develop 
rajjidly and may reach the size of a man's head or even larger. They 
are soft, edematous, and hot at first and contain a serous or blood- 
tinged fluid. Later partially organized clots and shreds of a fibrin- 
ous nature and of a gelatinous consistence are formed within, and 
the temperature of the swelling is reduced. They appear on the sur- 
face of the body, especially on the belly and flank of cattle. 

Treatment of serous cysts. — Treatment consists in opening the cyst 
at the most dependent point with a sharp knife. The cavity should 
be injected out twice daily with a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid 
and drainage encouraged by keeping the incision open. 

DESMOID CYSTS. 

These cysts have a wall which is almost an exact duplicate of the 
structure of the skin, and frequently contain epidermal structures, 
such as hair and teeth, which^ in the development of the embryo, have 
been misplaced. Thus we may find in an ovaiy or testicle a dermoid 
cyst, containing a tooth or a ball of hair. Dental cysts are included 
in the above class. 

Dental cysts. — It occasionally happens that the teeth of cattle, in- 
stead of developing normally within strong supporting alveolae, i^e- 
main inclosed within a cystic membrane, which assumes a tumor-like 
character. One tooth may be included alone in the cyst or a number 
may be inclosed together. However this may be, the malformation 
progresses, especially if confined to the incisor teeth, until the remain- 
ing teeth, that began to develop normally, are crowded out of posi- 
tion and rendered useless. The tumor may reach the size of a man's 
fist. It appears to be fleshy and dents upon pressure, but it may also 
appear on closer examination as though it contained irregular sec- 
tions of thin bone. The outer surface is always smooth, and no 
indication of purulence, softening, or scab f onnation is ever exhibited. 
Upon being laid open with the knife the tumor is seen to be sur- 
rounded by a fiiTu, smooth membrane which limits it completely 
from the adjoining tissues. It is filled with material which possesses 
partly edematous, partly fleshy, and partly bony properties. It is 
supposed that this mass is composed of rudiments of the jawbone or 
of the alveolar walls which, becoming spongy, lose themselves in the 
soft, fleshy mass contained within the capsule of the tumor. It oc- 
casionally happens that the tumor is hollow and that the cavity 



TUMORS AFFECTING CATTLE. 331 

extends back into the body of the lower jaw for a considerable 
distance. 

Tumors of this kind, being of congenital origin, are very naturally 
observed most frequently in young cattle, but they may continue to 
expand for a period of several months after the birth of the calf, even 
until they become troublesome and unsightly. 

TreattTient for dental cysts. — Treatment consists in the complete 
extirpation of the cyst and the destruction of the lining pouch by 
curetting. 

RETENTION CYSTS. 

Retention cysts arise from the retention of normal secretions, due 
to obstruction of a duct leading from a gland. The mucous cysts 
found in the mouth, udder^ and vestibule of cows are samples of this 
form. 

Mucous cysts. — Saclike dependent tumors, caused by retention of 
the secretions from the mucous glands, sometimes develop in the 
mouth, nose, pharynx, and vulva of cattle. They are called " mucous 
cysts." These are of sizes varying from peas to pigeon eggs, are 
roundish and translucent, and surrounded by a delicate vascular 
membrane. They contain a siruplike substance more or less thick 
and transparent and whitish yellow in color. 

Treatment for mucous cysts. — Treatment consists in the punctur- 
ing of the swelling, if accessible, and the destruction of the cyst walls 
by the injection of Lugol's solution. 

PROLIFERATION CYSTS. 

These are found especially in the ovaries of cows^ called " cystic 
ovaries," and may produce nymphomania (chronic bulling). 

Treatment for proliferation cysts. — The treatment indicated in this 
case is the removal of the diseased ovaries. 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 

By M. R. Tbumbower, D. V. S. 

[Revisef] in 1904 by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.] 

The skin consists of two parts — a superficial layer, the epidermis, 
or cuticle; and the deep, or true, skin, the dermis, cutis vera, or 
cerium. 

The epidermis, cuticle, or scarf skin, is an epithelial structure, 
forming a protective covering to the corium. It varies in thickness, 
is quite insensible and nonvascular, and consists of a sheet of cells. 

The epidermis is divided into a firm and transparent superficial 
and a deep soft layer. The latter is the rete mucosum, in whose cells 
the pigment exists which gives color to the skin. The deep surface 
of the epidennis is accurately molded on the papillai*y layer of the 
true skin, and, when removed by maceration, presents depressions 
which correspond to the elevations on the dermis. From the cuticle 
tubular prolongations pass into the sebaceous and sudorific glands; 
thus the entire surface of the body is inclosed by the cuticle. 

The dermis, or true skin, is vascular and highly sensitive, contain- 
ing the tactile ends of the nerves of touch. It is covered by epi- 
dermis, and attached to the underlying parts by a layer of areolar 
tissue, which usually contains fat. The cutis consists of fibro-areolar 
tissue and vessels of supply. It is divided into two layers, the deep, 
or true, corium and the upper, or papillary. The corium consists of 
strong interlacing fibrous bands, chiefly white ; its meshes are larger 
and more open toward the attached surface, giving lodgment to the 
sweat glands and fat. The papillary, or superficial, layer is formed 
of a series of small conical eminences or papillae, which are highly 
sensitive, and consists of a homogenous transparent tissue. The 
blood vessels form dense capillary plexuses in the corium, terminat- 
ing by loops in the papillae. The papillary nerves run in a waving 
manner, usually terminating in loops. 

Hair is an appendage of the skin and forms its external covering. 
It is a special modification of epidermis, having the same essential 
structure. It consists of a root, shaft, and point. The root has a 
bulbous extremity, is lighter and softer than the stem, and lodged in 
a recess or hair follicle, which may either be in the corium or sub- 
cutaneous areolae. The follicle is dilated at the bottom to correspond 
with the root bulb, and the ducts of one or more sebaceous glands 

332 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 333 

open into it. At the bottom of each follicle is a conical vascular 
papilla, similar in every respect to those on the surface of the dermis; 
this papilla fits into a corresponding depression in the root of the 
hair. The shaft consists of a center, or medulla, a surrounding 
fibrous portion, and an external coating, or cortex. The medulla 
consists of cells containing pigment or fat, is opaque, and deeply 
colored. All kinds of hair do not have this medulla. The fibrous 
portion occupies the bulk of the stem, and the cortex is merely a 
single layer of thin, flat, imbricated scales. 

The sebaceous glands^ lodged in the corium, are most abundant in 
parts exposed to friction. They generally open into the hair follicles, 
occasionally on the surface of the body. Each gland consists of a 
small duct which terminates in a lobulated recess. These lobules 
vary, and are, as is the duct, lined with epithelium. They are filled 
with sebaceous matter which, as it is secreted, is detached into the 
sacs. They are very plentiful between the claws of cattle. 

The sudoH-fiG glands^ or sweat glands, are situated in the subcuta- 
neous areolar tissue, surrounded by a quantity of fat. They are 
small, round, reddish bodies, each of which consists of one or more 
fine tubes coiled into a ball, the free end of the tube being continued 
up through the true skin and cuticle, and opening on the surface. 
Each sweat gland is supplied with a cluster of capillary blood ves- 
sels which vary in size, being very large when perspiration is exces- 
sive. The contents of the smaller ones are fluid, and of the larger, 
semifluid. 

The skin may be regarded as an organ supplementary in its action 
to the lungs and kidneys, since the skin by its secretion is capable 
of removing a considerable quantity of water from the blood, small 
amounts of carbon dioxid, and small amounts of salts, and in certain 
instances during suppression of the renal secretions, a small amount 
of urea. The skin is also the chief organ for the regulation of animal 
heat, by or through conduction, radiation, and evaporation of water, 
permitting of loss of heat, while it also, through other mechanisms, is 
able to regulate the amount of heat lost. The hair furnishes protec- 
tion against extreme and sudden variations of temperature by the 
fact that hairs are poor conductors of heat, and inclose between them 
a still layer of air, itself a nonconductor of heat. The hairs are also 
furnished with an apparatus by which the loss of heat may be regu- 
lated; thus, in cold weather, through the contraction of unstriped 
muscular fibers of the skin, the hairs become erect and the external 
coat becomes thicker. Cold, too, acts as a stimulus to the growth of 
hair, and we find, in consequence, a thicker coat in winter than in 
summer. The hairs also furnish protection against wet, as they are 
always more or less oily fi'om the secretion of sebaceous glands, 
and thus shed water. The hairs, through their elasticity, furnish 



334 DISEASES OF CATTLrE. 

mechanical protection, and through the thickness of the coat, to a 
certain degree, resist the attacks of insects. Finally, the hairs assist 
the sense of touch. 

The sweat glands are constantly discharging a watery secretion in 
the form of insensible perspiration, and by their influence act as 
regulators of the temperature of the body. Hence, in warm weather, 
the secretion of the skin is increased, which tends to prevent the 
overheating of the body. Sweating, in addition to regulating heat, is 
also an active agent in removing effete material from the blood; 
therefore this secretion can not be checked without danger to the 
animal. If the skin be covered with an impermeable coating of 
grease or tar, death results from blood poisoning, due to the retention 
of materials destined to be excreted by the skin. 

The total amount of secretion poured out by the skin is not only 
modified by the condition of the atmosphere, but also by the char- 
acter and quantity of the food, by the amount of exercise, and espe- 
cially by the quantity of fluid taken. 

The sebaceous secretion is intended to lubricate the skin and hairs. 
It consists of soft, fatty material suspended in water, and is charac- 
terized by a special odor peculiar to the animal by which it is secreted. 

I will not attempt to classify the various diseases of the skin, for 
in a work of this kind it would serve only to confuse the reader. 

We shall first consider a class of diseases which are of an inflamma- 
tory type ; next, those due to faulty secretion and abnormal growth , 
then, diseases of parasitic origin; and, lastly, local injuries of the skin. 

PRURITIS (itching). 

We shall consider pruritis first as a distinct subject. It is not a 
disease, only a sensation, and therefore a symptom. It is one of the 
symptoms accompanying the majority of the diseases which we will 
consider in this chapter. It is, then, a functional affection produced 
by slight irritation from without or by an internal cause acting 
upon the sensory nerves of the skin. Nothing characteristic is seen 
except the secondary lesions, produced mechanically by scratching or 
rubbing. 

There are various forms of itching, the result of specific skin dis- 
eases, where the pruritis is a secondary symptom. In such cases it 
should not be regarded as an independent affection. 

Causes. — Many causes may induce the condition which we recog- 
nize here as pruritis. The most common one is dirt on the skin, 
resulting from insufficient care. If the ceiling of the stable is open, 
so that dust and straw may fall down, the skin is irritated and pru- 
ritis results. It also occurs in some forms of indigestion. 

The parts of the body most exposed to this condition are the croup, 
the back, the top of the neck, and the root of the tail. 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 335 

Another cause is found in affections of the liver and of the kidneys, 
when an increase of effete material has to be thrown off by the skin. 
Morbid materials circulating in the blood may produce a tickling or 
smarting sensation of the skin in their passage from the blood to the 
free surface of the skin. Certain irritating substances when eaten 
may be excreted by the skin, and coming thus in direct contact with 
the sensory nerves produce itching, or may go further and cause dis- 
tinct inflammation of the skin. In another class of cases the pruritis 
may be due to an atrophy, contraction, or hardening of the skin, when 
the nerves become irritated by the pressure. These conditions may be 
so slightly marked in a thick skin like that of the ox that they can not 
be recognized. It is frequently noticed that cattle will rub themselves 
as soon as they pass from the stable into the open air — changing from 
a warm to a cold atmosphere. Again, we may find an animal which 
does all its rubbing in the stall. We may look for lice, but fail to find 
them. These conditions are generally attributable to high feeding 
and to too close confinement. They may be associated with inflam- 
matory irritation or not; certainly we fail to discover any morbid 
changes in the skin. There is to some extent a delightful sensation 
produced by rubbing, and it may partly become a habit of pleasure. 

Treatment. — We must place our chief reliance upon a change of 
food, plenty of exercise, and in most cases the administration of an 
active cathartic — 1 to 1^ pounds of Epsom salt, a handful of com- 
mon salt, a tablespoonful of ginger or pepper, mixed with 2 quarts 
of water, all of which is to be given at one dose. Afterwards half 
an ounce of hyposulphite of soda may be given twice a day for a 
week, mixed with the feed. For an external application, when the 
skin is abraded or thickened from rubbing, a solution of borax, 4 
ounces to the quart of water, may be used. Carbolic acid, \ ounce 
to a quart of water, will give relief in some cases. 

INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 
EBYTHEMA. 

This is the simplest form of inflammation of the skin. It consists 
of an increased redness, which may occur in patches on involve con- 
siderable surface. The red coloration disappears when pressed upon 
by the finger, but soon returns after the pressure is removed. There 
is seldom much swelling of the affected part, though often a glu- 
tinous discharge may be noticed, which dries and mats the hair or 
forms a thin scale upon the skin. In simple erythema the epidermis 
alone is affected ; when it becomes chronic, fissures form, which extend 
into the corium, or true skin. 

Causes. — Simple erythema, consisting of an inflammatory irrita- 
tion, is witnessed in very young calves, in which the navel leaks. 



336 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The discharge being urine, it causes an irritation of the surrounding 
skin. Chafing, which is another form of erythema, is occasionally 
seen on the udder of cows from rubbing by the legs ; chafing between 
Ihe legs is not uncommon among fat steers. Chronic erythema is 
found in the form of chapped teats of cows and chapped lips in 
sucking calves. It frequently occurs in cows when they are turned 
out in winter directly after milking, and in others from chafing by 
the calf in sucking. Some cows are peculiarly subjects to sore teats. 
The fissures when neglected in the early stage of foraiation become 
deep, very painful, often bleeding at the slightest touch, and cause 
the animal to become a kicker when milked in that condition. Occa- 
sionally the lower portions of the legs become irritated and chapped 
when cattle are fed in a muddy or wet yard in winter, or if they are 
compelled to wade through water in frosty weather. Another form 
of erythema occurs in young cattle highly fed and closely stabled for 
u long winter. The erythema appears in patches, and as it is most 
common near the end of the winter it is known as the " spring erup- 
tion " or " spring itch." 

Treatment. — In ordinary cases of erythema the removal of the 
cause and the application of benzoated oxid of zinc ointment, car- 
bolized cosmoline, or a mixture of creolin, 1 ounce to a pint of water, 
applied a few times, will restore the skin to a healthy condition. 

When there are fissures the zinc ointment is the best. If at the 
teats, a milk siphon (PI. XXIV, fig. 4) should be used instead of 
milking by hand, and the calf, if there is one suckled, should be taken 
away. When the calf's mouth is affected it should be fed by hand. 
When the legs are irritated or chapped, dry stabling for a few days 
and the application of tar ointment will soon heal them. 

UKTICABIA (NETTLE RASH, OB SURFEIT). 

This is a mild inflammatory affection of the skin, characterized by 
sudden development of patches of various sizes, from that of a nickel 
to one as large as the hand. The patches of raised skin are marked 
by an abrupt border and are irregular in form. All the swelling may 
disappear in a few hours, or it may go away in one place and reappear 
on another part of the body. It is always accompanied by a great 
desire to rub the affected part. In its simplest type, as just described, 
it is never followed by any serous exudation or eruptions, unless the 
surface of the skin becomes abraded from scratching or rubbing. 

Causes. — Derangements of the digestive organs are the most com- 
mon causes, such as overloading the stomach when the animal is 
turned out to graze in the spring, certain constituents of food, and 
high feeding among fattening stock. When the kidneys are func- 
tionally deranged, urticaria may appear. Spinal irritation and other 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 337 

nervous affections may cause it. The disease consists in a paralysis 
of the nerve ends that control the volume of the capillary vessels in 
certain areas of skin, thus permitting the vessels to expand, their 
contents in part to exude, and thus produce a soft, circumscribed 
swelling. 

Treatment. — Admini-ster a full dose of Epsom salt. Give soft, 
easily digested food, and wash the affected parts with a solution of 
bicarbonate of soda — common baking soda — 8 ounces to the gallon of 
water twice a day, or diluted glycerin may be applied to the skin. If 
it assumes a persistent tendency, give a tablespoonful of the following 
powder in the feed three times a day: Cream of tartar, sulphur, and 
nitrate of potash, equal parts by weight; mix. 

ECZEMA. 

Eczema is a noncont^agious inflammation of the skin, characterized 
by any or all of the results of inflammation at once or in succession, 
such as erythema, vesicles, or pustules, accompanied by more or less 
infiltration and itching, terminating in a watery discharge, with the 
formation of crusts or in scaling off. The disease may run an acute 
course and then disappear, or it may become chronic; therefore, two 
varieties are recognized, vesicular^ or pustular^ and chronic eczema. 

Causes. — Eczema is not so common among cattle as in horses and 
in dogs, in which it is the most common of all skin diseases. Among 
cattle it is occasionally observed under systems of bad hygiene, filthi- 
ness, lousiness, overcrowding, overfeeding, excessively damp or too 
warm stables. It is found to develop now and then in cattle that are 
fed upon sour substances, distillery swill, house or garden garbage, 
etc. Localized eczema may be caused by irritant substances applied 
to the skin — turpentine, ammonia, the essential oils, mustard, Span- 
ish-fly ointment^ etc. Occasionally an eruption with vesiculation of 
the skin has been induced by the excessive use of mercurial prepara- 
tions for the destruction of lice. It is evident that eczema may arise 
from local irritation to the skin or from an auto-intoxication. Cattle 
fed on the refuse from potato-starch factories develop a most obsti- 
nate and widespread eczema, beginning on the legs. 

Sym/ptoms. — In accordance with the variety of symptoms during 
the progress of the disease we may divide it into different stages or 
periods: (1) Swelling and increased heat of the skin; the formation 
of vesicles, which are circumscribed, rounded elevations of the epider- 
mis, varying in size from a pin head to a split pea, containing a clear, 
watery fluid; (2) exudation of a watery, glutinous fluid, formation of 
crusts, and sometimes suppuration, or the formation of vesicles con- 
taining pus (pustules) ; (3) scaling off (desquamation), with redness, 
and thickening of the skin. From the very beginning of the disease 

16923°— 12 22 



338 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the animal will commence to rub the affected parts ; hence the various 
stages may not always be easily recognized, as the rubbing will pro- 
duce more or less abrasion, thus leaving the skin raw — sometimes 
bleeding. Neither do these symptoms always occur in regular suc- 
cession, for in some cases the exudation will be most prominent, being 
very profuse, and serve to spread the disorder over a large surface. 
In other cases the formation of incrustations, or rawness of the skin, 
will be the most striking feature. The disease may be limited to cer- 
tain small areas, or it may be diffused over the greater part of the 
body ; the vesicles, or pustules, may be scattered in small clusters, or a 
large number run together. The chronic form is really only a pro- 
longation of the disease, successive crops of pustules appearing on 
various portions of the body, frequently invading fresh sections of 
the skin, while the older surfaces form scabs, or crusts, upon the raw, 
indurated skin. 

In old standing cases the skin will break, forming fissures, espe- 
cially on portions of the body that bend — the neck and limbs. Thus 
the disease may be prolonged indefinitely. Wlien eczema reaches its 
latest period, either acute or chronic, desquamation of the affected 
parts is the most prominent feature. The formation and shedding of 
these successive crops of scales constitute the character of the disease 
frequently denominated psoriasis. 

Treatment. — The treatment of eczema is often anjrthing but a pleas- 
ant task. There is no one method of treatment which will always 
prove successful, no matter how early it is begun or how small an 
area is involved. We must endeavor to remove the cause by giving 
attention to the general health of the animal and to its environment. 
Feeding should be moderate in quantity and not too stimulating in 
character — green feed, bran mashes, ground oats, clean hay, plenty 
of salt. If the animal has been fed too high, give an active purga- 
tive — Epsom salt preferred — once a week, if necessaiy, and half an 
ounce of acetate or nitrate of potash may be given in the feed twice a 
day. If the animal is in poor condition and debilitated, give a table- 
spoonful of the following mixture in feed twice a day: Powdered 
copperas, gentian, sulphur, and sassafras bark, equal parts by weight. 
If the animal is lousy, the parasite must be destroyed before the 
eczema can be cured. The external treatment must vary with the 
character of the lesions ; no irritating application is to be made while 
the disease is in its acute vesicular, or pustular, stage, and, in the 
chronic stage, active stimulants must be used. Much washing is 
harmful, yet cnists and scales must be removed in order to obtain 
satisfactory results from the external applications. Both objects, 
however, can be attained by judiciously combining the curative 
agents with such substances as will at the same time cleanse the 
I)arts. 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 339 

In the vesicular stage, when the skin is feverish and the epidermis 
peeling off, exposing the exuding dermis, an application of boracio 
acid solution, 2 drams of the acid to 8 ounces of water, will often 
relieve the smarting or itching, and also serve to check the exudation 
and dry the surface. If this fails to have the desired effect, use 
creolin, 1 ounce to a quart of water, as a wash. Either of these 
washes may be used several times a day until incrustation is well 
established. Then use cr6olin, 1 ounce to a pint of sweet oil, or the 
benzoated oxid of zinc ointment, giving the affected surfaces a 
thorough application once a day. "Wlien the eczema is not the result 
of an external iiTitant, it takes usually from one to two weeks before 
the healing is completed. 

In chronic eczema, where there is a succession of scabs, or scales, 
indolent sores or fissures, the white precipitate ointment, nitrate of 
mercury ointment, or blue ointment, mixed with equal parts of cos- 
moline or fresh lard, may be applied every second day, taking care to 
protect the parts so anointed that the animal can not lick it off. 

In some cases the use of the following mixture will do well : Oil of 
tar one-half ounce, glycerin 1 ounce, alcohol 1 pint. Rub this in 
after cleansing the parts with warm water and soap. The internal 
administration of arsenic often yields excellent results in chronic 
eczema. Take 1 dram of arsenic, 1 dram of carbonate of potash, 1 
pint of boiling water, and give 1 ounce of this twice a day in water, 
after feeding. An alkali internally may be of service. As such, one 
may give 2 ounces of bicarbonate of soda twice daily. Sublimed 
sulphur may also be tried in ounce doses twice daily. 

PUSTULES (impetigo). 

Impetigo is an inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by 
the formation of distinct pustules, about the size of a pea or a bean, 
unattended by itching. The pustules develop from the papular layer 
of the skin, and contain a yellowish-white pus. After reaching 
maturity they remain stationary for a few days, then they disappear 
by absorption and dry up into crusts. Later the crusts drop off, 
leaving upon the skin a red spot which soon disappears. Occasion- 
ally the crusts remain firmly adherent for a long time, or they may 
be raised and loosened by the formation of matter underneath. The 
dry crusts usually have a brown or black appearance. 

Causes. — Impetigo affects sucking calves, in which the disease 
appears upon the lips, nostrils, and face. It is attributed to some 
irritant substance contained in the mother's milk. Impetigo is also 
witneissed among grazing animals, regardless of age, and it especially 
attacks animals with white hair and skin. The mouth, face, and 
limbs become covered with pustules, which may rupture in a few 
hours, followed by rapid and successive incrustations; the scabs fre- 



340 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

queiitly coalesce, covering a large surface ; pus may form under them, 
and the whole thickness of the skin become involved in the morbid 
process. This form of the disease is attributed to the local irritant 
properties of plants growing in the pasture, such as St. John's 
wort {Hypericiim perforatum) ^ smartweed {Polygonum hy dro piper) ^ 
vetches, honeydew, etc. Buckwheat, at the time the seeds become 
ripe, is said to have caused it, also bedding with buckwheat straw. 

Treatment. — Sucking calves should be removed from the mother, 
and the latter should have a purgative to divert the poisonous sub- 
stance secreted with the milk. When the more formidable disease 
among grazing cattle appears, the pasturage should be changed, and 
the affected parts of the animal thoroughly anointed once a day with 
sweet oil, containing 2 drams of carbolic acid to the pint. This should 
be continued until the crusts soften and begin to drop off, then the 
parts may be cleansed thoroughly with warm water and soap. Sub- 
sequently apply the white precipitate ointment or carbolized cosmo- 
line daily until the parts are healed. 

PEMPHIGUS (WATER BLISTERS). 

This is an inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by suc- 
cessive formations of rounded, ii-regularly shaped water blisters, 
varying in size from a pea to a hen's egg. 

Causes. — Obscure. 

Symptoms. — The formation of a blister is preceded by a congestion 
or swelling of the skin. Yellowish-colored water collects beneath the 
cuticle, which raises the latter from its bed in the form of a blister. 
The blisters appear in a succession of crops; as soon as one crop dis- 
appears another forms. They usually occur in clusters, each one be- 
ing distinct, or they may coalesce. Each crop usually runs its course 
in a week. Itching or burning sensations attend this disease which 
cause the animal to rub, thereby frequently producing excoriations 
and formation of crust on the affected region. 

Treatment. — Give a tablespoonful of the following mixture in feed 
twice a day : Saltpeter, cream of tartar, and sulphur, equal parts by 
weight. The blisters should be opened as soon as formed, to allow 
the escape of the serum, then apply a wash composed of chlorid of 
zinc, 1 dram to 15 ounces of water. When there is any formation of 
crusts, apply carbolized cosmoline. 

lURXJNCULXJS (boils). 

This is an acute affection of the skin, usually involving its whole 
thickness, characterized by the formation of one or more abscesses, 
originating generally in a sebaceous gland, sweat gland, or hair 
follicle. They usually terminate by absorption, or by the formation 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 341 

of a central core, which sloughs out, leaving a deep, round cavity that 
soon heals. 

Causes. — Impoverished state of the blood, the result of kidney dis- 
eases or of local friction or contusions. 

Synifptoms. — Boils in cattle usually appear singly, not in clusters; 
they may attain the size of a hen's egg. The abscess begins as a 
small round nodule, painful to pressure, gradually increases in size 
until death of the central portion takes place, then the surface of the 
skin gives way to internal pressure, and the core is released and ex- 
pelled. Constitutional symptoms are generally absent, unless the 
boils occur in considerable numbers, or by their size involve a great 
amount of tissue. 

Treatment. — Poulticing to ripen the abscess. If this can not be 
done, apply camphorated oil two or three times a day until the core 
is formed. As soon as the central or most prominent part becomes 
soft, the abscess should be opened to release the core. Then use car- 
bolized cosmoline once a day until the healing is completed. If the 
animal is in poor condition, give tonics — copperas, gentian, ginger, 
and sulphur, equal parts by weight, 1 tablespoonful twice a day. If 
the animal manifests a feverish condition of the system, administer 
half an ounce of saltpeter twice a day, continuing it several days or 
a week. 

TAHLTY SECRETIONS AND ABNORMAL GROWTHS. OF THE SKJN. 
PITYRIASIS (SEBORRHEA, DANDRTTTF, OR SCTJBF). 

This is a condition characterized by an excessive secretion of seba- 
ceous matter, forming upon the skin in small crusts, or scales. 

Causes. — It is due to a functional derangement of the sebaceous 
glands, usually accompanied by dryness and loss of pliancy of the 
skin. The animal is hidebound, as it is commonly termed, thin in 
flesh, inclined to rub, and very frequently lousy. The condition is 
observed most often toward the spring of the year. Animals that 
are continually housed, and the skins of which receive no cleaning, 
generally present a coat filled with fine scales, composed of epi- 
thelium from the epidermis, and dried sebaceous matter. This, 
however, is a physiological condition, and compatible with perfect 
health. 

Symptoms. — Pityriasis may affect the greater portion of the body, 
though usually only certain parts are affected — the ears, neck, rump, 
etc. The skin becomes scurfy, the hairy coat filled with branlike 
gray or whitish scales. 

Treatment. — Nutritious food, such as oil-cake meal, bran, ground 
oats, and clean hay. In the spring the disease generally disappears 
after the animal is turned out to pasture. When lice are present 
they should be destroyed. 



342 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

ELEPHANTIASIS ( SCLERODERMA ) . 

This condition consists in a chronic thickening of the skin, which 
may affect one or more limbs or involve the whole integument. It is 
characterized by recurrent attacks of swelling of the skin and sub- 
cutaneous areolar tissue. After each attack the affected parts remain 
infiltrated to a larger extent than before, until finally the skin may 
attain a thickness of an inch, become wrinkled and fissured. In 
cattle this disease is confined to hot climates. The predisposing 
cause is unknown. 

EDEMA (anasarca OF THE SKIN). 

This is a dropsical condition of the skin and subcutaneous areolar 
tissue, characterized by pitting under pressure, the fingers leaving a 
dent which remains a short time. 

Causes. — Edema generally results from a weakened state of the 
system, arising from previous disease. It may also be dependent 
upon a functional derangement of the kidneys, upon weak circula- 
tion, or obstruction to the flow of blood through the lungs. In de- 
bilitated animals and in some animals heavily infested with parasites 
there is swelling of the dewlap or of the fold of the skin between 
the jaws. 

Symptoms. — Painless swelling of a limb, udder, lower surface of 
abdomen, or lower jaw becomes apparent. This may increase in di- 
mensions for several days, or may attain its maximum in less than 
24 hours. Unless complicated with some acute disease of a specific 
character, there is not much, if any, constitutional disturbance. The 
deep layer of the skin is infiltrated with serum, which gives it the 
characteristic condition of pitting under pressure. 

Treatment. — When the cause can be ascertained and removed we 
will have a reasonable expectation of seeing the edema disappear. 
When no direct specific cause can be discovered and the animal is 
debilitated, give general tonic. If, on the contrary, it is in good 
flesh, give a purgative, followed by half an ounce of acetate of potash 
twice a day. External applications are useless. 

Edema may be distinguished from eiysipelas or anthrax by the 
absence of pain and fever. 

DERMOID AND SEBACEOUS CYSTS (WENS). 

A dermoid cyst is formed by an involution of the skin, with a 
growth of hair on the inner wall of the sac. It may become embedded 
deeply in the tissues subcutaneously, or may just penetrate the thick- 
ness of the skin, where it is movable and painless. They are gen- 
erally found within the ear or at its base, although they may form on 
any part of the body. Usually they have a small opening, from 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 343 

which a thick, cheesy matter can be squeezed out. The rational 
treatment is to dissect them out. 

Sebaceous cysts appear not unlike the former. They are formed 
by a dilatation of the hair follicle and sebaceous duct within the skin, 
and contain a gray or yellowish sebaceous mass. The tumor may 
attain the size of a cherry stone or a walnut. Generally they are 
round, movable, and painless, soft or doughy in consistency, and 
covered with skin and hair. They develop slowly. The best treat- 
ment is to dissect out the sac with contents entire. 

VEERUCA (warts). 

Cattle are affected with two varieties of warts. One, the verruca 
vulgaris^ is composed of a cluster of enlarged papillae, covered with 
a thickened epidermis, the number of papillae determining the breadth 
and their length its height. They are generally circular in figure, 
slightly roughened on the surface, and spring from the skin by a 
broad base. Occasionally large numbers of verj'^ thin, long, peduncu- 
lated warts grow from the skin of the ear, lips, about the eyes, and 
vulva. Another variety, the verruca acumArhata^ sometimes errone- 
ously denominated epithelial cancers, are irregularly shaped eleva- 
tions, tufted or club shaped, occasionally existing as thick, short, 
fleshy excrescences, giving the growth the appearance of granulation 
tissue. Their color is red or purplish, and oftentimes by friction 
they become raw and bleeding, emitting then a very offensive odor. 
They usually grow in clusters and their development is rapid. 

Causes. — An abnormal nutrition of the skin, determined by in- 
creased energy of growth operating upon a healthy skin; at other 
times, upon a weak or impoverished skin. 

Treatment. — When they are small and pedunculated, they may be 
snipped off with shears and the stump touched with nitrate of silver. 
Wlien they are broad and flattened, they can be dissected out and the 
wound cauterized if necessary. If they are large and very vascular, 
they may be ligated, one by one, by taking a strong cord and tying it 
as firmly around the base as possible. They will then shrivel, die, 
and drop off. If there is a tendency to grow again, apply a red-hot 
iron or nitric acid with a glass rod. Very often warts will quickly 
disappear if they are kept soft by daily applications of sweet or 
olive oil. 



Kelis is an irregularly shaped flat tumor of the skin, resulting 
from hypertrophy — increased growth of the fibrous tissue of the 
corium, producing absorption of the papillaiy layer. 



344 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Causes. — It may arise spontaneously or follow a scar after an 
injury. 

Symptoms. — Kelis generally appears below the knee or hock. It 
may occur singly or in numbers. There are no constitutional symp- 
toms. Its growth is very slow and seldom causes any inconvenience. 
It appears as a flattened, irregular, or spreading growth within the 
substance of the skin, is hard to the touch, and is especially charac- 
terized by divergent branches or roots, resembling the claws of a crab, 
and hence the name. Occasionally some part of it may soften and 
result in an abscess. It may grow several inches in length and 
encircle the whole limb. 

Treatment. — So long as it causes the animal no inconvenience it is 
best not to meddle with it; when it does, the animal ought to be 
fattened for beef, the meat being perfectly hannless to the consumer. 

PARASITIC DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 

MANGE, ITCH, SCAB. 

[See discussion in chapter on " The animal parasites of cattle."] 

LOUSINESS. 

I See discussion of lice in chapter on " The animal parasites of cattle."] 

WABBLES, OB GBUB IN THE SKIN. 

I See discussloni'in chapter on " The animal parasites of cattle."] 

BUFFALO GNATS. 

ISee discussion of these parasites in chapter on " The animal parasites of cattle.''] 

HORN FLY (H^MATOBIA SERRATA). 
[See discussion of this parasite in chapter on " The animal parasites of cattle."] 

TICKS. 
[See discussion of these parasites in chapter on "The animal parasites of cattle."] 

FLIES. 

[See discussion of these parasites in chapter on "The animal parasites of cattle.'] 

BINOWOBM (TINEA TONSURANS AND TINEA FAVOSA). 

Ringworm is an affection of the skin, due to a vegetable parasite. 
Tinea tonsurans is due to the presence of a minute or microscopic fun- 
gus — the TAchophyton tonsurans. It affects the hair and the epi- 
dermic layer of the skin, and is highly contagious, being readily 
transmitted from one animal to another. This fungus consists of 
spores and filaments. The spores, being the most numerous, are 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 345 

round, nucleated, and seldom vary much in size. They are very 
abundant in the hair follicle. The filaments are articulated, waving, 
and contain granules. This disease is productive of changes in the 
root and shaft of the hair, rendering it brittle and easily broken off. 

Symftoms. — This disease becomes manifest by the formation of 
circular patches on the skin, which soon becomes denuded of hair. 
The cuticular layer of the skin in slightly inflamed, and vesication 
with exudation occurs, followed by the formation of scaly, brittle 
crusts. The patches appear silvery gray when incrusted, and are 
mostly confined to the head and neck. It is a common disease among 
young cattle in the winter and spring. Very early in the develop- 
ment of the patches the hairs split, twist, and break off close to the 
skin. This disease is attended with more or less itching. It is com- 
municable to man. 

Tinea favosa is due to another fungus, the Achorion schonleinii. 
This enters the hair follicle and involves the cuticle surrounding it, 
small crusts form which increase in diameter and thickness and then 
become elevated at their margin, forming a cup-shaped scab, the 
favus cup^ which gives the disease its distinctive character. The 
number of these cups varies from a few to many hundreds. The 
hairs involved become brittle and broken, fall off with the crusts, 
leaving small bald patches. The crusts are of a pale or sulphur- 
yellow color at first; as they grow older they turn darker, or to a 
brown color. This form of ringworm has a peculiar odor, resembling 
that of mice or musty straw. It is occasionally communicated to 
cattle by man, mice, cats, etc., all being subject to this disease. 

Treatment. — Remove all crusts by washing with soap and water, 
then apply acetic acid, sulphur ointment, tincture of iodin or nitrate 
of mercury ointment once a day. Cleanse the stable and whitewash 
it to destroy the spores scattered by the crusts. 

WOUNDS OF THE SKIN. 

SNAKE BITES. 
[See dlscassloD of this Bubject in chapter on " Poisons and poisoning."] 

VENOMOUS STINGS. 
[See discussion of this subject in chapter on " Poisons and poisoning."] 

BUENS AND SCALDS. 

This is a rare accident among cattle, yet in cases of fire it may 
occur. The application of heat, whether dry or moist, unless suffi- 
cient instantly to destroy the life of a part, is always followed by 
the development of vesicles, or blisters, which contain a thin, watery 



346 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

fluid. The blisters may be isolated and not very large, or one blister 
may cover a very large surface. When the burn is very severe the 
skin may be wholly devitalized, or the injury may extend into the 
deeper structures beneath the skin. Then sloughs vrill occur, fol- 
lowed by a contraction of the parts in healing; if on a limb, this 
may render the animal stiff. When the burn or scald has been a 
severe one, the resulting pain is great and the constitutional disturb- 
ance very marked. 

Treatment. — For a superficial bum use a mixture of equal parts of 
limewater and linseed oil, or common white paint — white lead ground 
in oil. This will exclude the atmosphere and protect the inflamed 
skin. If it is not convenient to obtain this, chimney soot, flour, or 
starch may be spread on the wound (dry), and covered with cotton 
batting and light bandage if possible. The blisters should be opened 
to let the contained fluid escape, but do not pull off the thin cuticle 
which has been raised by the blister. Wlien the bum is extensive 
and deep sloughing occurs, the parts should be treated, like other 
deep wounds, by poulticing, astringent washes, etc. When the sys- 
tem has sustained much shock, stunulants may be required internally, 
such as 4 ounces of whisky or 2 drams of carbonate of ammonia every 
hour until the animal rallies. When the pain is very great, hypo- 
dermic injections of 6 grains of morphia may be administered every 
six hours. 

Frostbite on any portion of the body may be treated as recom- 
mended in the article on diseases of the ears. 

EMPHYSEMA (AIB OR GAS UNDER THE SKIN). 

Emphysema of the skin is not a true disease of the skin, but we 
shall mention it as a pathological condition. It is characterized by 
a distention of the skin with air or gas contained in the subcutaneous 
areolar tissue. It may depend upon a septic condition of the blood, 
as in anthrax or blackleg; or air may be forced under the skin about 
the head, neck, and shoulders, as a result of rupture of the windpipe. 
It occults in the region of the chest and shoulders from penetrating 
wounds of the chest and lung, and occasionally follows puncture of 
the rumen when the escaping gas is retained under the skin. 

SymptoTns. — The skin is enormously distended over a greater or 
less portion of the body; thus any region of the body may lose its 
natural contour and appear like a monstrosity. There is a peculiar 
crackling beneath the skin when the hand is passed over it, and on 
tapping it with the fingers a resonant drumlike sound is elicited. 

Treatiiient. — Puncture the distended skin with a clean, broad- 
bladed knife and press out the contained air. Further treatment 
must be directed with a view to the removal of the cause. 



DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 

By M. R. Teumboweb, D. V. S. 
[Revised in 1904 by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.] 

liAMiNins (founder). 

Laminitis denotes an active inflammation of the sensitive struc- 
tures within the wall of the hoof, which may in severe cases result 
in suppuration and the loss of one or more claws. Owing to the sim- 
plicity of the structure of the foot of the ox compared with that of 
the horse, this disease is rarely seen in an acute form, but a mild 
form, commonly called " foot soreness," is not of infrequent occur- 
rence. 

Causes. — Laminitis in cattle may be caused by overfeeding, over- 
heating, continued standing without exercise on a stone or cement 
floor without suflScient bedding, or by driving long distances over 
rough or stony soil. 

Symjjtoms. — An unwillingness to maintain the standing position; 
the animal persists in lying down. The feet will be found unnatu- 
rally hot, and frequently some swelling may be noticed above the 
hoof. Pressure upon the hoof with blacksmiths' hoof-pincers causes 
pain and flinching. The general body temperature is increased and 
the breathing accelerated. Ordinarily the animal eats and drinks. 
When it is made to move, excessive tenderness of the feet becomes 
manifest, as is shown by reluctance to walk and by the very short, 
hesitating step. Founder affects the hind as well as the fore feet, 
although the front feet are more often exposed. 

Treatment. — Cold packs to the feet, or if the animal can be made 
to stand in a stream -of running water, having a soft bottom, this 
will often relieve the inflammation without the necessity of any 
additional treatment. It may be well, however, to give a full dose 
of Epsom salt, 1 to 1^ pounds, followed by half-ounce doses of salt- 
peter two or three times a day. 

SORENESS (foot SORENESS ). 

Cattle that are driven over stony roads, especially such as have 
been stabled or pastured on soft ground, soon wear down the soles of 
their feet and become lame from foot soreness. Draft oxen, for this 
reason, require to be shod. When the soreness is excessive it may 

347 



348 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

develop into an active inflammation of all the sensitive structures of 
the foot — ^laminitis, or into a local bruise commonly called a " corn." 

Treatment. — Rest, poulticing the feet with moistened clay, fol- 
lowed by astringent washes — strong white-oak bark or alum water. 

If the pain and heat last several days, it is probable that pus has 
formed beneath the wall of the hoof. In this case it is necessary to 
cut through the wall, usually at the most prominent part of the sole, 
to allow the accumulation to drain out. The animal should then be 
caused to stand for several hours daily in a tub containing creolin 
solution (3 per cent). When not in the creolin solution the foot 
should be dressed with pine tar and cotton and bandaged with bag- 
ging. 

LOSS or HOOF. 

Cattle sometimes become fastened between planks or otherwise and 
pull off the wall of one or both claws in the effort to extricate them- 
selves. The claws of one or more feet may be shed as the result of 
acute laminitis. 

Treatment. — Wash the bleeding surface with an antiseptic and then 
with an astringent, as a weak solution of alum, then apply a thick 
coating of pine tar; cover this with a layer of oakum or absorbent 
cotton ; apply another coat of tar over this, and then bandage closely 
and firmly. This may remain without disturbance until the new 
growing wall becomes sufficiently strong to sustain the pressure and 
weight of the animal. If, however, at any time it becomes manifest 
by oozing or bad smell that pus is forming under this dressing, the 
bandage should be removed and the suppurating surface freshly 
cleaned and dressed. This may have to be r-epeated every few days, 
and should be continued so long as there is any pus formation. If 
the loss of hoof is due to suppurative laminitis, the parts denuded of 
the horny covering must be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected with 
carbolic acid, creolin, lysol, or other antiseptic. Then apply a mod- 
erately thick layer of absorbent cotton, and apply the tar and bandage 
over this. After this the antiseptic solution may be poured in at the 
top of the dressing daily. It will thus soak in and saturate the dress- 
ing and inflamed tissue. It may become necessary to remove the 
whole of the dressing at daily or longer intervals to give the parts a 
fresh cleaning, and then to reapply it. 

FOUL IN FOOT (foot ROt). 

A variety of causes may produce inflammation of the foot between 
the claws or toes. It may be due to overgrowth of the claws and 
inward pressure, as in ingrowing nail of man ; or it may be caused by 
the irritation of stable filth, to impaction and hardening of soil be- 
tween the claws, or to other foreign substances becoming wedged in 



DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 349 

and causing inflammation and softening or ulceration of the skin in 
the interdigital space. Under some conditions several cattle in the 
same herd become affected, and this has led some to think that the 
disease may be contagious. Occurrences have been reported where 
foot rot of cattle has appeared within a short time among a large pro- 
portion of the cattle in a farming district. This disease is most fre- 
quently seen in the hind feet, though all four feet may become 
a fleeted. 

Symptoms. — The animal is observed to limp in walking. On exami- 
nation of the foot we discover heat, and swelling above the hoof and 
of the soft parts between the claws which fi-equently spreads the 
claws apart to a considerable extent; or the inflammation may have 
advanced to softening and sloughing of the interdigital membrane. 
If the disease is neglected at this stage, deep abscesses may form and 
the pus burrow under the horny wall, or the joint within the hoof 
may become inflamed and the articular attachments destroyed, in 
which case the treatment wiD become difficult and recovery will be 
very tedious. 

Treatment, — In the earlier stages of the disease, before pus burrows 
beneath the horn, a thorough cleansing and an application of a car- 
bolic-acid solution — 1 ounce to a pint of water — clean stabling, and 
laxative food will usually remedy the evil. Creolin is an excellent 
remedy at this stage. It should be applied to the suppurating and 
putrefying tissue between the claws in its pure or undiluted state. It 
is best applied by means of a cotton swab on a thin stick. Care must 
be exercised to keep the creolin from contact with the skin about the 
coronary band or heels. If deep sloughing has taken place the car- 
bolic solution or creolin should be used, and a wad of oakum or cot- 
ton smeared with pine tar should be secured firmly in the cleft. This 
can be done by taking a strip of strong cloth, 2 inches wide, passing 
the middle between the claws, then tying the ends after winding them 
in opposite directions above the hoof. Sometimes warm poulticing 
with flaxseed meal or bran becomes necessary to relieve excessive 
fever and pain. If the pus burrows under the horn, its channel must 
be followed by paring away the horn until the bottom is reached. 
The aftertreatment will be the same as that already recommended. 
If the joint becomes diseased, an amputation of that toe will be the 
quickest and surest method to relieve the suffering of the animal, and 
offers the best chance for an early recovery. 

ULCERATION OF THE HEEL. 

Occasionally we find ulcers at the junction of the hair with the 
hoof at the heel, which present an elevated, raw, or ragged surface, 
and cause considerable lameness. This is generally due to a bruise 



350 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

of the fibrous cushion of tlie back part of the foot. Subsequent 
sloughing or necrosis may occur, or pus may form deep down within 
the wall and gain an exit at the margin of the heel. Sometimes large 
pieces of skin slough from the heel and pastern from no visible cause. 
This condition is caused by an infection with certain microorganisms 
(streptococci, necrosis bacilli) and may be contagious. 

TreatTYieivt. — If there is a deep opening inject carbolic solution once 
a day until it closes. If the ulcer is only superficial wash with car- 
bolic or creolin solution and apply a mixture of equal parts of blue 
vitriol and alum in dry powder. 

FISSURE OF THE WALL, ( SPLIT HOOf) . 

This is rarely seen among cattle. It may occur in weak walls, in 
heavy-bodied cattle, by stepping on an uneven surface, especially 
when the point of the toe is grown out long. One may find the point 
of the toe broken and the wall split almost up to the hair. 

TreaPinent. — The divided sections may be brought into approxima- 
tion and held in place by drilling a small hole from one side into and 
through the other, commencing half an inch back of the fissure on 
each side; then drive a light horseshoe nail through the hole and 
clinch it. Pare the injured claw as short as it will bear. 

INTERDIGITALi FIBROMA. 

Hard, nodular, fibrous tumors sometimes grow in the cleft of the 
foot, and cause inconvenience, lameness, absorption, or ulceration of 
the contiguous parts. 

Treatment. — They should be dissected out and the wound dressed 
with carbolic-acid lotion and pine tar once a day imtil healing is 
completed. 

DEFORMITIES. 

Deformities in the feet of cattle usually consist in overgrowth of 
horn, generally due to want of wear in animals which are stabled. 
The hoof may tuiTi inward, outward, or upward, and may give rise to 
lameness, inability to walk, foul foot, etc. Bulls which are continu- 
ally stabled and dairy cows very frequently have misshapen feet for 
want of an occasional trimming, and this deformity may eventually 
lead to permanent injury. 

Treatme7it. — Cut the superabundant growth of horn down with 
saw, knife, or rasp, until the foot assumes its natural form. 

PRICKS AND WOUNDS. 

If an animal suffers with a penetrating wound from prick of fork 
or nail, the orifice of the wound should be enlarged to permit a free 
discharge of pus; then soak the foot in a creolin solution (3 per cent) 



DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 351 

in a tub, or apply a jflaxseed poultice, changing it three times a day 
until the fever has abated. The foot should be kept bandaged and 
dressed with pine tar and oakum, and the animal must be kept on a 
clean floor until the wound is closed and all or nearly all lameness 
has disappeared. 

If an animal is cut in the foot with barbed wire, piece of glass, or 
any other substance dress the wound, after proper cleansing, with 
carbolic-acid solution, 1 ounce to 20 of water. If any uneven edges 
of horn or skin or lacerated flesh project, trim them off, and in all 
cases when it can be done a tarred bandage should be applied. This 
will serve to sustain the cut surfaces in their place, exclude dirt, and 
protect against flies, maggots, etc. 

When the wound has extended into a joint, surgical treatment may 
become necessary, which will require the services of an educated 
veterinarian. 

Occasionally an animal becomes fastened by the foot in some crevice 
and sustains severe bruising, wrenching, or fracture of some part of 
the foot. In such cases cold-water packs to the injured member will 
be of service until the fever and swelling disappear. Afterwards 
allow the animal rest until the usefulness of the foot is restored. 
Sometimes such an accident, causing fracture, renders necessary 
plaster bandages or amputation. 



DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 

By M. R. Tbtjmbower, D. V. S. 
[Revised in 1904 by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.] 

P'or the sake of gaining a clear comprehension of the diseases of 
the eye it becomes necessary to review the anatomy of this important 
organ. The essential organ of vision, or globe of the eye, will be first 
described, then the receptacle of this globe or orbital cavity, the 
muscles that move it, the protective membranes, or eyelids, the mem- 
brana nictitans, or accessory eyelids, and, lastly, the lachrymal 
apparatus. 

The globe, or hall, of the eye approaches the spherical in form. On 
closer inspection, however, it will appear to be made up of two com- 
bined portions from spheres of different sizes. The posterior portion, 
forming about five-sixths of the ball, is a sphere of comparatively 
large size with a small segment cut off it in front, and at this point 
there is applied to it the anterior portion, which, being a segment of 
a smaller sphere, projects at the front of the ball with a greater con- 
vexity than the posterior portion. 

The eyeball consists of concentrically arranged coats and of refract- 
ing media inclosed within these coats. The coats are three in num- 
ber, namely, (1) an external protective tunic made up of the sclerotic 
and cornea; (2) a middle vascular and pigmentary tunic, the choroid; 
(3) an internal nervous layer, the retina. The sclerotic is the white, 
opaque part of the outer tunic, of which it forms about the posterior 
five-sixths, being coextensive with the larger sphere already men- 
tioned. The cornea forms the remaining one-sixth of the outer tunic, 
being coextensive with the segment of the smaller sphere. It is dis- 
tinguished from the sclerotic by being colorless and transparent. 
The choroid coat will be recognized as the black layer lying subjacent 
to the sclerotic. It does not line the cornea, but terminates behind 
the line of junction of that coat with the sclerotic by a thickened 
edge — the ciliary processes. At the line of junction of the sclerotic 
and cornea the iris passes across the interior of the eye. This (which 
may be viewed as a dependency of the choroid) is a muscular curtain 
perforated by an aperture termed the pupil. The retina will be 
recognized as a delicate glassy layer, lining the greater part of the 
choroid. 

352 



DISEASES OP THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 353 

The refracting media of the eye are three in number, namely, (1) 
the aqueous humor, a watery fluid inclosed in a chamber behind the 
cornea; (2) the crystalline lens and its capsule, a transparent, soft 
solid of a biconvex form, and placed behind the iris; (3) the vitreous 
humor, a transparent material with a consistence like thin jelly, and 
occupying as much of the interior of the eye as is subjacent to the 
choroid. 

The sclerotic is a strong, opaque, fibrous membrane, which, in a 
great measure, maintains the form of the eyeball and protects the 
more delicate structures within it. Its anterior portion, which is 
covered by the ocular conjunctiva, is commonly known as the " white 
of the eye." In form it is bell-shaped, and the optic nerve pierces it 
behind like a handle, the perforation being a little to its inner side. 
In front the rim of the bell becomes continuous with the cornea. The 
outer surface of the membrane receives the insertion of the muscles 
of the eyeball. The coat is thickest over the posterior part of the eye- 
ball, and is thinnest a little behind its junction with the cornea. 

The cornea is the anterior transparent portion of the outer coat of 
the eyeball. It may be viewed as a part of the sclerotic specially 
modified to permit the passage of light into the interior of the eye. 
Its outline is elliptical, approaching the circular, and its greatest 
diameter is transverse. At its periphery it joins the sclerotic by con- 
tinuity of tissue, and as the edge of the cornea is slightly beveled 
and has the fibrous sclerotic carried for a little distance forward on 
its outward surface, the cornea is generally said to be fitted into the 
sclerotic like a watch glass into its rim. The venous canal of 
Schlemm runs circularly around the eyeball at the line of junction 
of the sclerotic and cornea. The anterior surface of the cornea is 
exquisitely smooth, and is kept moist by the lacrimal secretion. Its 
posterior surface forms the anterior boundary of the chamber in 
which the aqueous humor is contained. The cornea is of uniform 
thickness and is of a dense, almost horny, consistence. Save a few 
capillary loops of blood vessels at its margin the cornea is without 
vessels. It structure is comprised of five distinct layers. 

The aqueous humor occupies a chamber which is bounded in front 
by the posterior surface of the cornea and behind by the capsule and 
suspensory ligament of the lens and by the ends of the ciliaiy proc- 
esses. It is across this chamber that the iris extends. The aqueous 
hmnor is composed of water, with a small proportion of common salt 
in solution. 

The iris is a muscular, pigmented curtain extending across the inte- 
rior of the eye and having about its center an aperture termed the 
pupil. By variations in the size of this aperture the amount of light i 
transmitted to the retina is regulated. It varies somewhat in color, 
but is most frequently of a yellowish brown tint. Its anterior face is 

16923°— 12 23 



354 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

bathed by the aqueous humor. The greater part of the posterior sur- 
face is in contact with the capsule of the lens and glides on it during 
the movements of the curtain. The circumferential border is at- 
tached within the junction of the sclerotic cornea. The inner border 
circumscribes the pupil, which varies in outline according to its size. 
When much contracted the pupil is a veiy elongated ellipse, the long 
axis of which is in the line joining the nasal and temporal angles of 
the eyelids. It contains muscular tissue, which, by contracting or 
relaxing, lessens or dilates the pupillary opening. 

The choroid coat is a bell-shaped, dark membrane which lines the 
sclerotic. Its outer surface has a shaggy appearance^ due to the 
tunica fusca, which unites the two coats. Between the two the ciliary 
vessels and nerves pass forward. Behind it is pierced by the optic 
nerve ; in front it is continued as the ciliary processes, which form, 
as it were, the rim of the bell. The ciliary processes form a fringe 
around the slightly inverted rim of the choroid. 

The retina is the most delicate of the coats of the eyeball. It is 
foiTTied by the expansion of the optic nerve on the inner surface of 
the choroid, and, like that coat, it is bell-shaped. Its inner surface 
is molded on the vitreous humor. The nervous stinictures of the 
retina terminate at a wavy line, the ora serrata, behind the ciliary 
processes. Ten distinct layers are described as composing the thick- 
ness of the retina. 

The lois is situated behind the pupil, and is contained within a cap- 
sule of its own. 

The capsule is a close-fitting, fimi, transparent membrane. The 
anterior surface forms the posterior boundary of the cavity in which 
the aqueous humor is contained, and the iris in its movement glides 
on it. The posterior surface is in contact with the vitreous humor. 

The vitreous humor occupies four-fifths of the interior of the eye- 
ball. It is globular in form, with a depression in front for the lodg- 
ment of the lens. Tt is colorless, transparent, and of a consistency 
like thin jelly. It is enveloped by a delicate capsule — the hyaloid 
membrane — which is connected in front with the suspensoiy ligament 
of the lens, and ends by joining the capsule behind the lens. 

The orbital cavity, situated at the side of the head, is circumscribed 
by a bony margin ; posteriorly, however, there are no bony walls, and 
the cavity is confounded with the depression above and behind the 
orbit — the temporal fossa. A fibrous membrane completes this cavity 
and keeps it distinct from temporal fossa. This membrane — ^the 
ocular sheath or periorbita — is attached posteriorly around the open- 
ing in the back part of the orbital cavity (the orbital hiatus) and 
anteriorly to its inner face; then it becomes prolonged beyond the 
margin to fonn the fibrous membrane of the eyelids. The orbital 
cavity has the fonn^ when complete, of a regular hollow cone, open 



DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 355 

at its base and closed at the apex. The opening of this cone is di- 
rected forward, downward, and outward. Independently of the 
globe of the eye, this cavity lodges the muscles that move it, the mem- 
brana nictitans, and the lacrimal gland. 

The muscles of the eye are seven in number — one retractor, four 
straight, and two oblique. The retractor oculi envelops the optic 
nerve between the brain and the ball of the eye and becomes attached 
upon the external face of the sclerotic tunic. When this muscle con- 
tracts, it draws the globe back into the orbit, away from the light. 
The superior, inferior, external, and internal recti or straight muscles 
are attached to the back part of the orbital sheath and spread for- 
ward in four bundles over the globe of the eye, where they become 
inserted by a fibrous expansion into the sclerotic at the margin of 
the cornea. When they act singly, they turn the globe either up- 
ward, downward, inward, or outward. The great oblique, by its 
action, pivots the eye inward and upward in the orbit. The small 
oblique turns the eye outward and downward. 

The eyelids are two movable curtains, superior and inferior, which 
cover and protect the eye in front. They are attached to the circum- 
ference of the orbit and have a convex external face formed by the 
skin and a concave internal face molded on the anterior surface of 
the eye and are lined by the conjunctiva, which is reflected above and 
below on the eyeball. The border of each lid is slightly beveled on 
the inner side and shows the openings of the Meibomian glands. 
These glands secrete an unctuous fluid, which is thrown out on the 
border of the lids, the function of wliich is to facilitate their move- 
ments and enable them to retain the teare in the ocular cavity. The 
eyelid is composed of a fibrous inner membrane ending in a stiff arch 
near the border, a muscle to close the lid, another to open it, the 
skin externally, and the conjunctival mucous membrane internally. 
The border of each lid is covered and protected by long hairs to pre- 
vent floating particles of matter in the atmosphere gaining entrance 
to the eye. 

The membrana nictitmis^ which is also named the third eyelid, 
winking eyelid, haw, etc., is placed at the inner angle of the eye, 
whence it extends over the eyeball to relieve it from foreign bodies 
which may fall upon it. It has for its framework a fibro-cartilage, 
irregular in shape, thick, and nearly prismatic at its base, and thin 
anteriorly where it is covered by the conjunctiva ; behind it is loosely 
attached to a fatty cushion. 

The lacrimal gland is situated between the orbital process and 
the upper part of the eyeball. It secretes the tears destined to lubri- 
cate the anterior surface of the eye. This fluid escapes upon the 
organ at the outer angle of the lids and is carried between them and 
the eyeball toward the inner angle. 



356 DISEASES OF CATTIjE. 

The ca7'uncvZa lacrimalis is a small round body, frequently en- 
tirely or partially black, situated in the inner angle of the eye, and 
is designed to direct the tears toward the puncta lacrimalia. 

The functa lacrimalia are two little openings, situated one in 
each eyelid, a short distance from the inner comer, which admit the 
tears into the lacrimal ducts leading to the lacrimal canal, whence 
they are emptied into the nasal passages. 

CONJUNCTIVITIS ( SIMPLE OPHTHALMIA). 

This is an inflammation of the conjunctival mucous membrane of 
the eyeball and lids ; in severe cases the deeper coats of the eye become 
involved, seriously complicating the attack. 

Causes. — It may result from a bruise of the eyelid ; from the intro- 
duction of foreign matters into the eye, such as chaff, hayseed, dust, 
gnats, etc.; from exposure to cold; poisonous or irritating vapors 
arising from filthiness of stable. Dust, cinders, or sand blown into 
the eyes during transportation frequently induce conjunctivitis. 

Symptoms. — A profuse flow of tears, closure of the eyelids from 
intolerance of light, retraction of the eyeball and corresponding 
protrusion of the haw, disinclination to move, diminution of milk 
secretion, etc. On parting the lids the lining membrane is found 
injected with an excess of blood, giving to it a red and swollen 
appearance; the sclerotic, or white of the eye, is bloodshot and the 
cornea may be cloudy. If the disease advances, keratitis results, with 
its train of unfavorable symptoms. 

TreatTnent. — Careful examination should be made to discover par- 
ticles of chaff, etc., which may have lodged in the eye, and upon the 
discovery of such a cause prompt removal is indicated. This may be 
accomplished by flushing the eye with warm water by means of a 
syringe, or, if the foreign substance is adherent to the eyeball or lid, 
it may be scooped out with the handle of a teaspoon or some other 
blunt instrument. To relieve the congestion and local irritation, a 
wash composed of boracic acid in freshly boiled water, 20 grains to 
the ounce, or acetate of zinc, 5 gTains to the ounce of pure soft wat^r, 
may be used, to which may be added 20 drops of laudanum. A few 
drops of this should be placed in the eye with a camel's-hair pencil 
or soft feather three or four times daily. The animal should be 
placed in a cool, darkened stable, and then a cloth folded into several 
thicknesses should be fastened to the horns in such a manner as to 
reach below the eyes. This should be kept wet with cold water dur- 
ing the day and removed at night. If there is much fever and con- 
stitutional disturbance it becomes advisable to administer 1 pound of 
Epsom salt dissolved in 1 quart of water. 



DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 357 

INFECTIOUS CATARRHAL CONJUNCTIVITIS (SPECIFIC OPHTHALMIA). 

This generally appeals in an enzootic or epizootic form, and affects 
quite a number in the herd. It is distinctly a contagious disease and 
may be brought into a previously healthy herd by one animal with 
sore eyes. It may continue in a herd for a season or for several 
years, affecting all newly purchased animals. It is seldom seen in 
the winter months. It affects old and young animals alike. 

Symptoms. — This form of catarrhal conjunctivitis is characterized 
chiefly by a mucopurulent discharge from the eyes, an intense degree 
of inflammation of the mucous membrane, accompanied by swelling 
of the eyelids and an early opacity of the cornea. The flow of tears 
is mixed with pus, sometimes streaked with blood, and the skin of the 
face is kept moist and soiled. The eyes are kept continually closed. 
The implication of the cornea in the disease frequently blinds the 
animal for a time, and occasionally suppurative keratitis, ulcers of 
the cornea, or staphyloma supervene. The attack is marked from the 
onset by fever, partial loss of appetite, partial loss of milk, suspended 
rumination, and separation from the herd. 

Treatment. — The animal should be housed in a cool, dark stable, 
supplied with plenty of fresh water to drink and soft succulent food. 
Administer 1 pound of Epsom salt — if a very large animal, use 1| 
pounds — dissolved in 2 or 3 pints of water. For an eyewash take 
boracic acid, 1 dram, and pour 4 ounces of boiling water over it. Use 
this wash as often as convenient, applying it directly to the eye. In 
the majority of cases improvement becomes manifest in a few days, 
and the eye will become clear and free from inflammation in 10 days 
or 2 weeks. Where the disease develops ulceration of the cornea, 
or well-marked, deep-seated keratitis, the treatment recommended for 
those conditions should be adopted. 

Prevention. — Whenever this affection appears in a herd all the 
unaffected animals should be moved to another locality — that is, to 
fields which possess a different character of soil and feed. The water 
should also be changed, especially if they have been obtaining their 
drinking water from a stagnant pond. 

KERATITIS (CORNEITIS). 

This is an inflammation of the cornea proper, although the sclero- 
tic at the corneal border becomes involved to some extent. It may 
be divided into diffuse arid suppurative. 

Causes. — The cornea constitutes the most prominent portion of the 
eyeball, hence it is subject to a variety of injuries — scratches, pricks, 
contusions, lacerations, etc. Inflammation of the cornea may also be 



358 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

due to the extension of catarrhal conjunctivitis or intraocular dis- 
ease, and it may occasionally occur without any perceptible cause. 

Symptoms. — Diffuse keratitis is characterized by an exudation into 
and an opacity of the cornea. The swelling of the anterior part of 
the eyeball may be of an irregular form, in points resembling small 
bladders, or it may commence at the periphery of the cornea by an 
abrupt thickening, which gradually diminishes as it approaches the 
center. If the whole cornea is affected it has a uniform gray or gray- 
ish white appearance. The flow of tears is not so marked as in con- 
junctivitis, nor is the suffering so acute, though both conditions often 
exist together. Both eyes usually become affected, unless it is due to 
an external injury. 

In favorable cases the exudate within the cornea begins to disap- 
pear within a week or 10 days, the eye becomes clearer, and regains 
its transparency, until it eventually is fully restored. In unfavor- 
able casas blood vessels form and are seen to traverse the affected part 
from jjeriphery to center, vision becomes entirely lost, and permanent 
opacity {albugo or leucoma) remains. Wlien it arises from constitu- 
tional causes recurrence is frequent, leaving the corneal membrane 
more cloudy after each attack, until the sight is permanently lost. 

Swpjmrative keratitis may be a sequel of diffuse keratitis; more 
commonly, however, it abruptly becomes manifest by a raised swell- 
ing on or near the center of the cornea that very soon assumes a yel- 
low, turbid color, while the periphery of the swelling fades into an 
opaque ring. Suppurative keratitis is seldom noticed for the first 
day or two — not until distinct pus formation has occurred. When 
it is the result of diffuse keratitis, ulceration and the escape of the 
contained pus is inevitable; otherwise the pus may be absorbed. 
When the deeper membranes covering the anterior chamber of the eye 
become involved, the contents of this chamber may be evacuated and 
the sight permanently lost. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in a darkened stable, give green or 
sloppy food, and administer 4 ounces of Glauber's salt (sulphate of 
soda) dissolved in a quart of water once a day. If the animal is 
debilitated a tablespoonful of tonic powder should be mixed with the 
feed three times a day. This may be composed of equal parts by 
weight of powdered copperas (sulphate of iron), gentian, and ginger. 
As an application for the eye, nitrate of silver, 3 grains to the ounce 
of soft water, with the addition of 1 grain sulphate of morphia, may 
be used several times a day. If ulceration occurs, it is well to dust 
powdered calomel into the eye twice daily, or to the eyelids apply a 
salve of yellow oxid of mercury, 5 per cent in lanolin. Some of 
this may go onto the cornea and beneath the lids. Apply twice daily. 
(See " Ulcers of the cornea.") 



DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 359 

To remove opacity, after the inflammation has subsided, apply a 
few drops of the following solution twice a day: lodid of potas- 
sium, 15 grains; tincture sanguinaria, 20 drops; distilled water, 2 
ounces; mix. 

Sometimes keratitis exists in a herd as a transmissible disease, 
sf) reading like infectious conjunctivitis. Calomel, applied to the eye, 
is especially useful in such cases. 

ULCERS OF THE CORNEA. 

An ulcer comes from erosion or is the consequence of the bursting 
of a small abscess, which may have formed beneath the delicate layer 
of the conjunctiva, continued over the cornea; or, in the very sub- 
stance of the cornea itself, after violent keratitis, or catarrhal con- 
junctivitis. At other times the ulcer is produced by bruises, 
scratches, and other direct injuiy of the cornea. 

Symptoms. — The ulcer is generally at first of a pale gray color, 
with its edges high and irregular, discharges instead of pus an acrid 
watery substance, and has a tendency to spread widely and deeply. 
If it spreads superficially upon the cornea, the transparency of this 
membrane is lost; if it proceeds deeply and penetrates the anterior 
chamber of the aqueous humor, this fluid escapes, the iris may pro- 
lapse, and the lens and the vitreous humor become expelled, thus 
producing a destruction of the whole organ. 

Treatment. — It is of the greatest importance, as soon as an ulcer 
appears upon the cornea, to prevent its growing larger. The corrod- 
ing process must be converted into a healthy one. For this purpose 
nothing is more reliable than the use of solid nitrate of silver. A 
stick of nitrate of silver should be scraped to a point; the animal's 
head should be firmly secured; an assistant should part the lids; if 
necessary, the haw must be secured within the comer of the eye and 
then all parts of the ulcer should be lightly touched with the silver. 
After waiting a few minutes the eye should be thoroughly washed out 
with a very weak solution of common salt. This operation generally 
has to be repeated once more at the end of three or four days. If 
healthy action succeeds, the ulcer assumes a delicate fleshy tint, and 
the former redness around the ulcer disappears in proportion as the 
ulcer heals. 

In superficial abrasions of the cornea, where there is no distinct 
excavation, this caustic treatment is not needed. The eye should be 
bathed with sulphate of zinc, 30 grains to half a pmt of soft water, 
several times a day, and protected against exposure to cold air and 
sunlight. Excessive ulceration sometimes assumes the form of fun- 
gous excrescence upon the cornea, appearing to derive its nourish- 
ment from loops of blood vessels of the conjunctiva. Under these 



360 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

circumstances the fungoid mass must be cut away, and the "wound 
cauterized with the nitrate of silver, or else the eye will soon be 
destroyed. When ulcers of the cornea appear indolent, with a tend- 
ency to slough, in addition to the treatment already prescribed, tonic 
powders should be given twice a day mixed with the feed ; powdered 
copperas, gentian, and ginger, equal parts by weight. Dose, one 
tablespoonful. 

STAPHYIiOMA. 

This is a disease of the eyeball, in which the cornea loses its trans- 
parency, rises above the level of the eye, and even projects beyond the 
eyelids in the form of an elongated, whitish, or pearl-colored tumor, 
which is sometimes smooth, at other times uneven. 

Causes. — Inflammation is the only known cause, although it may 
not occur immediately; it frequently follows catarrhal conjunctivitis 
and keratitis as a sequela. 

TreatTnent. — In a few cases restoration of sight may be effected by 
puncturing the projecting tumor, and treating it afterwards with 
nitrate of silver in the same manner as prescribed for ulceration of 
the cornea. In some cases spontaneous rupture has occurred, and 
healing without any treatment at all. 

CATARACT. 

In cataract the crystalline lens becomes opaque and loses its trans- 
parency, the power of refraction is lost — ^the animal can not see. 

Causes. — Cataract generally arises from a diminution (atrophy) or 
other change in the nutrition of the lens; it may occur as a result 
of inflammation of the deep structures of the eye. Cataract may be 
simple, or complicated with amaurosis, adhesions, etc 

Symptoms. — It is known by the whiteness or loss of transparency 
of the lens, although the pupil dilates and contracts. Sight may be 
totally lost; however, evidence is usually manifested that the.animal 
distinguishes light when brought out of a darkened stable. For the 
most part the formation of cataract takes place slowly, the cases in 
which it originates very quickly being but few. 

Treatment. — There is only one method for the treatment of cata- 
ract — a surgical operation for the removal of the lens ; but this is not 
advisable, for the sight can not be perfectly restored, and objects 
would be seen imperfectly without the aid of glasses. 

AMAUROSIS. 

A paralysis of the nerve of sight or the expansion of the retina. 
Causes. — This is the result of concussion from a blow upon the 
forehead, fracture of bone over the eye (causing downward pressure), 



DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 361 

rheumatic inflammation of the optic nerve, or from extension of deep 
inflammation of the eye involving the retina. It sometimes occui-s as 
the result of excessive loss of blood or of great debility. 

Symptoms. — In this disease seldom any observation is made until 
the animal in its gait and by its action indicates blindness. Gener- 
ally both eyes are affected. The eyeball remains clear, and the pupil 
permanently dilated. No response to light is manifested. 

Treatment. — If due to debility, loss of blood, or associated with 
rheumatism, general blood tonics may be given in the feed, namely, 
powdered sulphate of iron, 1 dram; gentian, 2 drams; nux vomica, 
one-half dram; to be given twice a day. In cases of rheumatism, 

one-half ounce of saltpeter may be added. 

* 

m^RlA OCTJLI (worm IN THE EYe). 

Filana oculi (provisionally taken as the larva of F. cervina). — 
This is a small white worm, and is found in the eye, swimming in the 
aqueous fluid in the anterior chamber. It may be apparently harm- 
less for a long time, but will eventually induce keratitis with inflam- 
matoiy exudations. 

Treatment. — The cornea may be punctured at its upper and outer 
margin, and the worm squeezed out with the aqueous humor. The 
latter will be formed again. This operation will result disastrously 
unless the greatest care and skill are employed. 

CORNEAL DERMATOMA ( HAIRY TUMOR ON THE EYEBALl). 

In a few instances this has been seen as a congenital growth. The 
tumor arises from the cornea or the sclerotic, covered by its respective 
membrane, with a growth of hair upon its surface. These tumors 
may be quite prominent or flattened, and are dark in color; the hair 
may protrude between the eyelids, giving the animal the appearance 
of having a double eyelid. 

Treatment. — A surgical operation becomes necessary for their re- 
moval — one requiring a skilled operator. 

STRABISMUS (sQUINTINg). 

This is a very rare affection among cattle. Strabismus may be 
either single or double — affecting one eye or both. It is due to a 
paralysis, or a weakening of one of the straight muscles of the eye- 
ball. Generally it is a congenital defect, and the squinting is toward 
the nose — strabismus convergens. It is best not to attempt to remedy 
the defect, as the risk in an operation is greater than the chances of 
success warrant. 



362 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

PTERYGIUM. 

This term is applied to a fleshy colored membrane, triangular in 
form, which most frequently grows from the inner angle of the eye 
and extends over the cornea, thus interfering with vision. It may 
grow from the outer angle, or even from the superior or inferior 
hemisphere of the eyeball. The figure is invariably that of a tri- 
angle, with its base on the white of the eye, and its apex more or less 
advanced over the cornea toward its center. 

The distinguisliing characteristics are the constancy of the tri- 
angular foiin, and the facility with which the whole of it may be 
taken hold of with a pair of forceps and raised into a fold on the 
cornea. Every other kind of excrescence attached to this membrane 
continues firmly adherent to it, and can not be folded and raised from 
the surface of the cornea in any manner whatever. 

Treatment. — Raise the fold and dissect it away from all points of 
attachment. 

TRICHIASIS (inversion OF THE EYELASHES). 

In the simplest form the eyelashes bend inwardly, touching the 
eyeball, causing irritation and simple conjunctivitis. It may be also 
associated with entropion. 

Treatment. — The offending eyelashes should be cut off or pulled 
out. In cases where the natural growth of the eyelashes is directed 
inward an operation similar to that for entropion becomes necessary. 

ENTROPION (inversion OF THE EYELID ). 

In inversion of the eyelid the eyelashes soon irritate the anterior 
face of the cornea and produce more or less inflammation and opacity. 
The inversion may be due to the growth of a tumor within or with- 
out the lid, to abscess, laceration, or injury, causing the lid to lose its 
natural conformity to the eyeball, ulcerations, etc. Surgical inter- 
ference, in either case, becomes necessary to restore the lid to its 
natural direction. 

ectropion (e\t:rsion or the eyelid). 

This serves to injure the eye by permitting dust and other foreign 
substances to gain admission to the eye, and interferes with the 
natural removal of such substances. 

Treatment. — A delicate surgical operation — tlie removal of an 
elliptic section of the palpsebral conjunctiva — may remedy the defect. 



DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 363 

TUMORS OF THE EYELIDS. 

Occasionally tumors form upon or within the substance of the eye- 
lid. These may be of a fibroid nature, and arise from the follicles 
of the hair as sebaceous tumors, or may be in the form of an abscess. 
In debilitating diseases the lids sometimes become swollen and puffy, 
a condition which might possibly be taken for the growth of a tumor. 
This generally disappears with the improvement of the health of the 
animal. Warts not uncommonly appear on or about the eyelids of 
cattle. 

Treatment. — The removal of a tumor in the vicinity of so delicate 
an organ as the eye should not be attempted by anyone not qualified 
for the operation. 

LACERATION OF THE EYELID. 

This accident is not uncommon where cattle are fenced in by 
barbed wire ; an animal may be caught under the eyelid by the horn 
of another; it may occur in the stable by means of a projecting nail 
or splinter of wood. 

Treatment. — The edges of the wound should be brought together 
closely and correctly, by means of pins pushed through very nearly 
the whole thickness of the lid, extending through each lip of the 
torn part; then a waxed silk or linen thread must be wound over 
each end of the pin, crossing the torn line in the form of the figure 
8 (PI. XXVIII, fig. 9) ; the pins should be placed about three-eighths 
of an inch apart. The projecting ends of the pins should be cut 
off close to the ligature, and the parts kept anointed with vaseline, 
to which has been added 5 per cent of creolin. In place of a pin 
suture, silver wire, catgut, or strong linen thread may be used in the 
way of an ordinary suture. 

FOREIGN BODIES IN THE EYE. 

Splinters of wood, hedge thorns, pieces of cornstalk or leaves, stems 
of hay or straw, twigs of trees, or weeds may penetrate into the eye, 
break off and remain, causing inflammation, blindness, abscess, etc. 
These substances may penetrate the eyeball, but more frequently 
they glide off and enter between the eye and the ocular sheath. 

Treatment. — Their removal becomes often a very difficult task, 
from the fact that the organ is so extremely sensitive, and the re- 
tracting power so strong as to necessitate casting the animal, or even 
the administration of sufficient chlorofonn to render it completely 
insensible. The removal, however, is of paramount importance, 
and the after treatment depends upon the extent and location of the 
injury — cold water compress over the injured eye, the application of 



364 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

mild astringent and cooling washes, such as acetate or sulphate of 
zinc, 5 grains to the ounce of water. When there is extreme suffer- 
ing from pain a 5 per cent solution of atropia or morphia, 5 grains 
to the ounce of water, may be dropped into the eye, alternating with 
the cooling wash several times a day. When abscesses form within 
the orbit a free opening must be maintained for the discharge of 
pus. In deep penetrating wounds of the eye there is a great tendency 
to the formation of a fungous growth, which often necessitates the 
enucleation of the whole eyeball. 

ORBITAL AND PERIORBITAL ABSCESS. 

Orbital abscess may form outside of the globe and within the 
orbital sheath, as the result of a previous wound of the parts, or from 
fracture of the bony orbit, etc. Periorbital abcess commences outside 
of the ocular sheath, beneath the periosteal membrane covering the 
bone, and is usually the result of a diseases or fractured bone which 
enters into the formation of the orbital cavity. 

Symptoms. — Orbital abscess is manifested by a pushing forward of 
the eyeball (exophthalmos) , a swelling of the conjunctiva and eyelids. 
The bulging out of the eye is in proportion to the size of the abscess; 
the movement of the eye is fixed, due to the painfulness of any volun- 
tary movement of the eyeball. Periorbital abscess generally pushes 
the eye to one side; otherwise the symptoms are similar to the fore- 
going. The pain generally is veiy great; paralysis of the nerve of 
sight may occur, and death may be caused by the abscess extending 
to the brain. 

Treatment. — The treatment for either orbital or periorbital abscess 
is the same as that for abscess occurring in any other part of the 
body — a free opening for the escape of imprisoned pus. This should 
be made as soon as the true nature of the disease is recognized. 
Afterwards antiseptic injections may be needed to stimulate healthy 
granulation and to prevent septic infection of the ocular membranes. 
For this purpose a saturated solution of boracic acid may be used, or 
listerine 1 part to 10 of water. Wlien the fever runs high, Glauber's 
salt (sulphate of soda) may be given in 4-ounce doses once a day. 
The animal should be kept in a darkened stable, on soft or gi'een feed. 

FRACTURE OF THE ORBIT. 

This accident occasionally occults among belligerent animals, or as 
the result of blows delivered by brutal attendants. The orbital process 
above the eye may be entirely crushed in, pressing down upon the eye- 
ball. In such an event the depressed bone should be elevated into its 
proper place, and if it fails to unite it may have to be removed with 
saw or chisel. The margin of the orbit may be crushed- at any point 



DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 365 

and cause periorbital abscess, or necrosis may result from the presence 
of a splinter of bone or the excessive destruction of bone. In all 
cases of fracture the animal should be taken out of the herd and 
kept by itself until the injured part heals. 

NECROSIS OF THE BONY ORBIT. 

As the result of fracture of the margin of the orbit a part of the 
injured bone may become necrosed (dead), and periostitis and perior- 
bital abscess will follow as a consequence. The discovery of this dis- 
ease will at first resemble abscess, but on making an examination with 
a probe after the abscess is open we will find the bone rough and 
brittle at the point of disease. The discharge will have a peculiar 
fetid odor, and is often mixed with blood. 

Treatment. — The affected bone must be laid bare and all diseased 
portions removed by scraping or, if necessary, with saw or chisel, 
disregarding the extent of the injury or the size of the wound neces- 
sary to be inflicted. A large portion of the bony orbit may be re- 
moved without serious danger to the eye, provided the eyeball itself 
has not been previously affected by the disease or involved in the 
original injury. 

TUMORS or THE ORBIT. 

A fimgous tumor of the eyeball or orbit occasionally appears, which 
is designated fungus JuETnatodes. This may arise without any appre- 
ciable cause, or as the result of a wound. It frequently commences 
within the eyeball as a small, red mass, eventually bursts through, and 
pushes its way outside of the orbit as a large, dark-red mass, bleed- 
ing at the slightest touch. It has a peculiar fetid odor, and early in 
its appearance destroys sight, involving all the contents of the orbit, 
not infrequently the bony wall itself. 

Unless the tumor is totally removed in its early stage of growth, 
together with the eyeball, the disease will eventually cause emaciation 
and death of the animal. The enucleation of the eyeball should not be 
undertaken by anyone unacquainted with the anatomical structures 
involved in such an operation. When the operation is performed 
early enough the result is generally satisfactory. 

Bony tumors of the orbit are occasionally present in cattle, the re- 
sult of bruises, fractures, etc. They may encroach upon the contents 
of the orbit, causing paralysis of the optic nerve — the condition 
known as amaurosis — or by pressure upon the posterior surface of the 
eyeball force it foi-ward, or produce atrophy (shrinking). They may 
displace the eye in any direction, with or without disturbing vision. 

Fibrous tumors growing within the orbit will produce symptoms 
similar to those of bony tumors. 



366 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Treatment. — ^Wlien the outlines of the tumor, whether fungoid, 
bony, or fibrous, can be detected, an operation for its removal should 
be undertaken as soon as the sight of the eye is in any manner dis- 
turbed. 

DISLOCATION OF THE EYEBALL. 

The eyeball may be torn out of its socket by the horns of another 
animal in a fight, or it may be crowded out with the blunt end of a 
club, cane, or probe in the hands of a brutal attendant. 

Treatment. — When the optic nerve is not lacerated and the retrac- 
tor muscles at the back of the eye are intact, an attempt at reduction 
is advisable. This, however, must follow very soon after the in- 
jury — before swelling takes place. Divide the outer corner of the 
eyelid to enlarge the orifice, then by pressure with the fingers of both 
hands placed upon the sides of the eye the ball may be put back into 
its place. Apply a firm compress over the injured eye and keep it 
constantly wet with cold water containing 1 dram of sugar of lead to 
each quart. 

If the attempt at reduction proves unsuccessful the artery at the 
back of the eye should be ligated, and then the whole mass cut off as 
deep within the orbit as possible. The orbital cavity should be 
packed daily with fresh absorbent cotton after washing it out with a 
3 per cent solution of carbolic acid or 10 per cent dilution of creolin. 

INFLAMMATION AND ENLARGEMENT OF THE HAW. 

The haw, or membrana nictitans, is subject to inflammation and 
swelling from the extension of conjunctivitis, or direct injury by for- 
eign substances. It presents a red, swollen appearance, accompanied 
by considerable pain and a profuse flow of tears. A slight scarifica- 
tion with a sharp knife and the application of a cooling lotion, such 
as recommended for conjunctivitis, will soon reduce the swelling and 
restore it to its normal function. 

There is, however, a tendency for an inflammation of this mem- 
brane to take on a chronic character, which may eventually result in 
a permanent enlargement, resembling a tumor. When it attains 
sufficient size to protrude itself permanently over the eye, or project 
between the lids so as to obstruct the sight, its removal may become 
necessary. A threaded needle is passed through the body of the en- 
larged mass, by which the membrane is drawn out as far as possible, 
then with a blunt pair of scissors it may be dissected away from its 
attachments. The eye is afterwards treated with simple cooling 
lotions. 



DISEASES OF THE EAR. 

By M. R. Teumbower, D. V. S. 
[Revised in 1904 by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.] 

Diseases of the ears of cattle are not very common, for the reasons 
probably that they are not subjected to the brutality of drivers so 
much as horses and that the horns to a great extent protect them 
against external violence. 

OTITIS (inflammation OF THE INTERNAL EAR) . 

Inflammation of the deep part of the ear is often difficult to recog- 
nize in cattle. It may be caused by disease of bone in that region, 
from blows inflicted by drivers, or fi-om injury by other cattle. 
Occasionally the ear becomes involved in actinomycosis, or the inflam- 
mation may be the result of a tuberculous affection. 

Symptorm. — The animal will hold its head to one side, or shake it, 
Arhile the ear itself is held immovable. The movement of the jaws in 
eating usually gives rise to a manifestation of pain; the base of the 
ear may be feverish and swollen, and very sensitive to the touch. If 
the inflammation has advanced to a suppurative stage, matter will 
flow from the ear, which generally emits a very offensive odor. 

Treatment. — At first hot fomentations to reduce pain and fever, 
followed by a sharp blister below the ear. Laudanum, 1 part to 10 
parts of sweet oil, may be injected into the ear to relieve pain and to 
soften the secretions. If there is a discharge from the ear, it should 
be thoroughly washed out by injecting warm soapsuds until all the 
matter has been washed away; then inject the following mixture 
twice a day: Sulphate of morphia, 20 grains; water, 1 pint; glycerin, 
4 ounces. ' 

ABSCESS. 

Abscesses sometimes form about the base of the ear, either inside 
or outside, caused by contusions. A serous cyst is found occasionally 
between the cartilage and the skin on the base of the ear, which may 
be due to a similar cause. 

Treatment. — Make a free incision with the knife into the most 
prominent part of the abscess or cyst, then wash out the sac with 

367 



368 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

carbolized water, using a syringe for the purpose. If the abscess 
recui"S, open it again, wash it out, and inject tincture of iodin, or fill 
it with iodoform. 

rUNGOlD GROWTHS. 

As a result of laceration or wound of any kind, fungous growths 
may develop on the ear, charactenzed by a raw, bleeding, granulating 
surface, with a tendency to become pendulous. 

Treatment. — The whole tumor or diseased structure should be cut 
away, and the wound treated daily with a dressing of carbolized cos- 
moline or turpentine and sweet oil, 1 part of the former to 4 of the 
latter. 

FOREIGN BODIES IN THE EAR. 

Bug's have been known to gain entrance into the ear of an animal. 
I once removed an acorn from the ear of a cow that had been roaming 
in the woods. Accidentally, pieces of wood from a stanchion may 
become lodged in the ear. 

Symptoms. — A continuous uneasiness or frequent shaking of the 
head, occasionally the manifestation of exceeding great pain. The 
animal may rub the head and ear against trees or other objects in an 
endeavor to dislodge the offending body. 

Treat7rient. — A careful examination will reveal the offending cause, 
which may be removed with a pair of forceps or scraped out with a 
hairpin or piece of wire bent at one end. If much inflammation 
exists, the ear may be swollen so that the foreign substance will be 
hidden from sight; then a probe may be inserted to feel for the 
object, which, when located, should be removed, even if it becomes 
necessary to split the ear at the base to do so. Afterwards treat the 
ear with frequent warm water fomentations and the injection of 
soapy water or oil and water. 

SCURFY EARS. 

Cattle are subject to scurfy ears, which may be due to a general 
morbid condition of the skin, or may be confined to the ears alone. 
The affected animal shows an inclination to rub the ear ; thick scales 
of scurf collect on it, which sometimes have the appearance of hard, 
dry, homy scales. This condition is chiefly due to a faulty secretion 
of the sebaceous glands of the ear. Thoroughly clean the ear with a 
stiff brush, then anoint it, so far as affected, with vaseline 4 parts to 
1 part of white precipitate ointment. If the scurfy ears are only a 
part of a general scurfiness of the skin, the condition of the animal 
needs attention. (See " Pityriasis," p. 341.) 



DISEASES OP THE EAE. 369 

FROSTBITE. 

It is not uncommon among young cattle which are poorly nour- 
ished and exposed outdoors to storms and extreme cold to suifer frost- 
bite of the ear, which may constitute actual freezing of the part. 

Symptoms. — Frostbite presents naturally every degree of severity 
from the mere chilling of the tip of the ear to positive freezing and 
death of a portion. In a day or two after the freezing has occurred 
the ear will become swollen and very painful ; the dead part will 
remain cold and begin to shrivel; a line of separation then forms 
between the inflamed and the dead or dying portion, and finally the 
piece destroyed drops off, leaving a raw healing surface. When the 
ear is only slightly affected by the cold, an excoriation or peeling off 
of superficial skin takes place, accompanied by some pain and itching. 

Treatmsnt. — A good liniment for frozen ears will be found in a 
mixture of turpentine, ammonia, and chloroform, of each 1 part, 
added to 6 parts of sweet oil. Rub this on the ear several times a 
day. It will relieve pain and stimulate the circulation, thus favoring 
a recovery of the injured structures. 

LACERATIONS OF THE EAR. 

Aggressive dogs are the most frequent cause of lacerated ear, gen- 
erally leaving a torn, ragged edge and bruised cartilage. 

Treatment. — If the wound is extensive a trimming of the ragged 
edges becomes necessary; then fasten the edges together with silver 
wire, catgut, or strong, thick, linen thread, taking a deep hold. 
Apply pine tar. 

DISEASE or THE CARTTLAGE AND NECROSIS. 

Occasionally the cartilages of the ear become affected, usually the 
residt of a deep bruise ; pus forms, which burrows under the skin, and 
may find a discharge from any part of the ear more or less distant 
from the seat of the disease. When the cartilage has been extensively 
injured, pieces of it may become dead (necrosed) and dissolve, to be 
carried away with the pus, or it may lead to extensive sloughing and 
the formation of numerous running sores. In the disease of the car- 
tilage there is seldom much swelling or great pain. The discharge is 
usually very offensive, and occasionally streaked with blood. When- 
ever there is a long-continued, persistent discharge from one or more 
openings in the ear, disease of the cartilage may be suspected. 

Treatment. — The sinus formed by the passage of matter should be 
probed and searched to the bottom for the presence of a foreign sub- 
stance or the evidence of decaying cartilage. When the probe touches 
16923°— 12 2A 



370 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

necrosed cartilage it will feel like the presence of a piece of dry 
leather or partially softened wood. A counter opening must then be 
made at this place, and all diseased cartilage cut away with the knife. 
The subsequent treatment consists in keeping the artificial wound 
open for the discharge of pus, and the injection of chlorid of zinc, 
5 grains to the ounce of water, once or twice a day, until the wound 
is healed. 

ENCHONDROMA OF THE EAR. 

This is an excessive growth of cartilage, found at the base of the 
ear in the form of a hard, painless tumor, firmly attached to the mov- 
able ear. The only recourse for its removal is the knife in the hands 
of one acquainted with the anatomy of the part involved in the 
operation. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

By Drs. D. E. Salmon and Theobald Smith. 

[Revised in 1911 by John R. Mohler, A.M., V. M. D.] 

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 

The importance to the farmer and stock raiser of a general 
knowledge of the nature of infectious diseases need not be insisted on, 
as it must be evident to all who have charge of farm animals. The 
growing facilities for intercourse between one section of a country 
and another, and between different countries, cause a wide distribu- 
tion of the infectious diseases once restricted to a definite locality. 
Not only the animals themselves, but the cars, vessels, or other con- 
veyances in which they are carried may become agents for the dis- 
semination of disease. The growing tendency of specialization in 
agriculture, which leads to the maintenance of large herds of cattle, 
sheep, and hogs, makes infectious diseases more common and more 
dangerous. Fresh animals are being continually introduced which 
may be the carriers of disease from other herds, and when disease is 
once brought into a large herd the losses become very high, because 
it is difficult, if not impossible, to check it aft^r it has once obtained a 
foothold. 

These considerations make it plain that only by the most careful 
supervision by intelligent men who understand the nature of infec- 
tious diseases and their causes in a general way can these be kept 
away. We must likewise consider how incomplete our knowledge 
concerning many diseases is, and probably will be for some time to 
come. The suggestions and recommendations offered by investigators 
may, therefore, not always be correct, and may require frequent modi- 
fication as our information grows more comprehensive and exact. 

An infectious disease may be defined as any malady caused by the 
introduction into the body of minute organisms of a vegetable or 
animal nature which have the power of indefinite multiplication and 
of setting free certain peculiar poisons which are chiefly responsible 
for the morbid changes. 

This definition might include diseases due to certain animal para- 
sites, such as trichinae, for example, which multiply in the digestive 
tract, but whose progeny is limited to a single generation. By com- 

371 



372 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

mon consent the term " infectious " is restricted to those diseases 
caused by the invasion and multiplication of certain very minute 
unicellular organisms included under the general classes of bacteria 
nnd protozoa. Nearly all the diseases of cattle for which a definite 
cause has been traced are due to bacteria. Among these are tubercu- 
losis, anthrax, blackleg, and tetanus (or lockjaw). Some diseases, 
such as Texas fever and nagana, are traceable to protozoa, while 
others, like actinomycosis and aspergillosis, are caused by fungi. 
Those diseases of which the cause is unknown or imperfectly worked 
out are pleuropneumonia, rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, 
cowpox, malignant catarrh, and dysentery. 

Bacteria may be defined as very minute, unicellular organisms of a 
plantlike character. Their form is very simple, as may be seen from 
an inspection of the various species depicted on Plate XXIX. The 
description of these figures will be found on page 378. The mag- 
nification there given will furnish the reader some idea of their 
very minute size. They multiply in two ways. The bacterium elon- 
gates and then divides in the middle to form 2 daughter cells. These 
go through the same process at once, and thus 4 cells are produced. 
The division of these leads to 8, the division of 8 to 16, and so 
on indefinitely. The rapidity with which this multiplication takes 
place depends upon the nature of the bacterium. The bacillus of 
tuberculosis multiplies very slowly, while that of anthrax multiplies 
with great rapidity, provided both are in the most favorable condi- 
tion. Another mode of reproduction, limited to certain classes of 
bacteria, consists in the formation of a spore within the body of the 
bacterium. Spore formation usually takes place when the conditions 
pertaining to the growth of the bacteria become unfavorable. The 
spores are much more resistant to destructive agents than the bacteria 
which produced them. The anthrax spore may live several years in 
a dried state, but the anthrax bacillus perishes in a few days under 
like conditions. This matter will be referred to again when Ave come 
to discuss the subject of disinfection. 

Of the protozoa which cause disease very little is at present known. 
The one which produces Texas fever is pictured on Plate XLVII, in 
figs. 4 and 5. These parasites have a more complex life history than 
bacteria; and as they can not be grown in artificial media, their 
thorough investigation is at present hampered with great difficulties. 

The differences in the symptoms and lesions of the various infec- 
tious diseases are due to differences in the respective organisms caus- 
ing them. Similarly the great differences observed in the sources 
from which animals become infected and the manner in which infec- 
tion takes place are due to differences in the life history of these 
minute organisms. Much discussion has taken place of late years 
concerning the precise meaning of the words " infection " and " con- 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTX,E. 373 

tagion." But these words are now wholly inadequate to express the 
complex processes of infection, and it may be said that each species 
of bacterium or protozoon has its own peculiar way of invading the 
animal body, differing more or less from all the rest. There are, 
however, a few broad distinctions which may be expressed with the 
help of these old terms. Infection, as laid down above, refers at 
present in a compreliensive way to all microorganisms capable of 
setting up disease in the body. Some microorganisms are trans- 
mitted directly from one animal to another, and the diseases pro- 
duced may be called contagious. Among these are included pleuro- 
pneumonia, rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, cowpox, and 
tuberculosis. Again, certain organisms are perhaps never trans- 
mitted from one animal to another, but may come from the soil. 
Among these are tetanus, blackleg, anthrax to a large extent, and 
perhaps actinomycosis in part. These diseases, according to some 
authorities, may be called miasmatic. There is a third class of in- 
fectious diseases of which the specific bacteria are transmitted from 
one animal to another, as with the contagious diseases, but the 
bacteria may, under certain favorable conditions, find enough food 
in the soil and the surroundings of animals to multiply to some ex- 
tent after they have left the sick and before they gain entrance into a 
healthy animal. 

This general classification is subject to change if we take into con- 
sideration other characteristics. Thus tuberculosis would not by 
many be considered contagious in the sense that foot-and-mouth 
disease is, because of the insidious beginning and slow course of the 
disease. Yet the bacillus must come from preexisting disease in 
either case. The disease of rabies, or hydrophobia, is not contagious 
in the sense that rinderpest is, because the virus of rabies must be 
inoculated mto a wound before it can take effect. Yet in both cases 
the virus passes without modification from one animal to another, 
though in different ways. 

Again, all the diseases under the second group, which seem to come 
from the soil and from pastures, are in one sense contagious in that 
the virus may be taken from a sick animal and inoculated directly 
into a healthy animal with positive results. Other illustrations may 
be cited which show that these old terms are not in themselves satis- 
factory. There are so many conditions which enter into the process 
of infection that no single classification will give a sufficiently correct 
or comprehensive idea of it. These statements will be easily under- 
stood if the different infectious diseases in the following pages bo 
studied with reference to the way or ways in which each disease may 
be contracted. Enough has been said, therefore, to show that, if we 
wish to make ourselves acquainted with the dangers of any given 



374 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

disease, we must study that disease and not rely upon any single 
work to tell the whole story. 

Infectious diseases have, as a general rule, a period of incubation, 
which comprises the time elapsing between the exposure to the infec- 
tion and the actual appearance of the disease. This period varies 
with the malady. The most common symptom of this class of diseases 
IS fever. The severity of the fever is measured by the temperature 
of the animal, and this is readily and accurately ascertainable by 
the clinical thermometer. (See PI. Ill, fig. 1.) The other symptoms 
are variable and depend upon the particular organ or organs most 
implicated. Loss of appetite, cessation of rumination and milk secre- 
tion, and general dullness are symptoms quite invariably present in 
most infectious diseases. 

During the course of infectious diseases secondary diseases or com- 
plications may arise which are largely due to bacteria other than those 
producing the original malady. These complications are often so 
severe as to become fatal. In general it may be stated that they are 
due to filthy surroundings, and hence cleanliness may become an 
important aid to recovery. 

The treatment of infectious diseases is given under each malady so 
far as this is allowable or advisable. These diseases are not, as a rule, 
amenable to treatment. Wlien the symptoms have once appeared the 
disease is apt to run its course in spite of treatment, and, if it is one 
from which animals usually recover, all that can be done is to put 
them into the most favorable surroundings. Many infectious diseases 
lead sooner or later to death, and treatment is useless so far as the 
sick are concerned, and it may be worse than useless for those not 
yet infected. All animals suffering with infectious diseases are a 
menace to all others more or less directly. They represent for the 
time being manufactories of disease germs, and they are giving them 
off more or less abundantly during the period of disease. They may 
infect others directly or they may scatter the virus about, and the 
surroundings may become a future source of infection for healthy 
animals. This leads us to the subject of prevention as the most 
important of all which claim our attention. In this place only a few 
general remarks will suffice to bring the subject before the reader. 

The most important thing is to keep disease away from a herd or 
faiTn. To do this all sick or suspicious animals should be avoided. 
A grave form of disease may be introduced by apparently mild or 
trivial cases brought in from without. It is generally conceded that 
continual change and movement of animals are the most potent means 
by which infectious diseases are disseminated. 

With some cattle diseases, such as anthrax, rinderpest, and pleuro- 
pneumonia, preventive inoculation is resorted to in some countries. 
This may be desirable when certain diseases have become stationary 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 375 

in any locality, so that eradication is impossible. It should not be 
practiced in territories where a given disease may still be extirpated 
by ordinary precautions. Preventive inoculation is applicable to only 
a few maladies, and therefore its aid in the control of diseases is a 
limited one. 

When an infectious disease has gained foothold in a herd the course 
to be pursued in getting rid of it will depend upon the nature of the 
malady. A good rule is to kill diseased animals, especially when the 
disease is likely to run a chronic course, as in tuberculosis. The next 
important step is to separate the well from the sick by placing the 
former on fresh ground. This is rarely possible; hence the destruc- 
tion or removal of the sick, with thorough disinfection of the infected 
locality, is the next thing to be done. As to the disinfectants to be 
used, special directions are given under the various diseases, to which 
the reader is referred. Here we will simply call attention briefly to 
the general subject. 

Disinfection consists in the use of certain substances which possess 
the power to destroy bacteria or their spores, or both. Those which 
are cheapest and most available for animal diseases are ordinary 
freshly slaked lime or unslaked in powder, chlorid of lime, crude car- 
bolic acid, corrosive sublimate, formaldehyde gas, formalin, creolin, 
and lysol. 

(1) Slaked lime is perhaps the most easily procured, but its disin- 
fecting power is limited. While it is capable of destroying all bac- 
teria in their vegetative state, it is unable to destroy spores such 
as those of anthrax and blackleg. It is probable, however, that in 
incrusting spores it may destroy their vitality sooner or later. It is 
regarded as safe practice to use only spore-destroying substances for 
the virus of those diseases of which we have no definite knowledge. 
Nevertheless, in the absence of other disinfectants, lime is very useful. 
It may be employed as a whitewash on wood and stone and sprinkled 
as a dilute wash or in powder over yards, manure heaps, and over 
carcasses before they are buried and over the ground on which they 
have lain, to prevent other animals from carrying the infection away. 

(2) Chlorid of lime is more efficient than simple slaked or unslaked 
lime, since it destroys spores. It is the ordinary bleaching powder 
of commerce, and is quite unstable; hence old preparations, unless 
sealed, are of little value. A 5 per cent solution is sufficiently strong 
for all spore-bearing bacteria (3 ounces in 2 quarts of water). It may 
be efficiently applied to the walls and floor of an infected stable by 
mixing with limewash in the proportion of 6 ounces of the chlorid of 
lime to each gallon of limewash. The ceilings and those portions of 
the walls which can not be reached should be disinfected by means 
of chlorin gas liberated from the chlorid of lime by crude carbolic 
acid. This is accomplished by making a cone of 5 or 6 pounds of 



376 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

chlorid of lime, in the top of which a deep crater is made for the 
placement of from 1 to 2 pints of crude carbolic acid. The edge of 
the crater is thereupon pushed into the fluid, when a lively reac- 
tion follows. Owing to the heat generated, it is advisable to place 
the chlorid of lime in an iron crucible and to have nothing inflam- 
mable within a radius of 2 feet. The number and location of 
these cones of chlorid of lime depend on the size and structure of 
the building to be disinfected. As a rule it may be stated that chlorin 
gas liberated from the above-sized cone will be sufficient for disin- 
fecting 5,200 cubic feet of air space. The finnes of chlorin are 
Btrongly irritating to the respiratory tract, and therefore all live stock 
should be removed before the work is started. 

(3) Crude carbolic acid. The ordinary purified carbolic acid is too 
expensive to be used on a large scale, and the crude product is a very 
good substitute. This is made more powerful by mixing with it an 
equal volume of commercial sulphuric acid. Wliile the sulphuric acid 
is being added to the crude carbolic acid much heat is evolved, and if 
the glass jar in which the two are mixed together is placed in cold 
water the resulting product is said to have a higher disinfecting 
power. The mixture is added to enough water to make a 5 per cent 
solution (about 7 ounces to 4 quarts of water) . Tliis is strong enough 
for all purposes. It may be kept in wood or glass, but not in metal, 
owing to the corroding action of the acid. It should be used freely on 
woodwork and on infected floors, and a force pump of the kind used 
by orchardists will be found very convenient as a means of applying 
this disinfectant. If the solution is warm when applied, it will pene- 
trate the woodwork better than when it is cold, especially if the spray- 
ing is done during cold weather. The addition of air-slaked lime in 
any quantity that will dissolve in water to the above solution (say 1^ 
pounds of lime to 7 ounces of crude carbolic acid to each gallon of 
water) is preferred by many, as it makes any neglected places at once 
visible and leaves a cleaner and purer atmosphere within the build- 
ings. In most cases where its application becomes desirable — and 
this rule should apply to all disinfections — the disinfected stables, 
stalls, etc., should remain vacant as long as possible before cattle 
are again stabled therein. 

(4) Mercuric chlorid, or corrosive sublimate, is a powerful disin- 
fectant, but it is likewise very poisonous; hence its uses are limited. 
Cattle are especially susceptible to the action of mercuric chlorid 
and caution must be used in its application. A solution of one-tenth 
of 1 per cent is usually sufficient (1 ounce to 8 gallons of water). 
Mercuric chlorid should not be placed in wooden pails, as we have the 
tannate of mercury formed, which is a weak antiseptic; nor should 
expensive metal pails be used, owing to its corrosive action. Agate 
vessels or tin pails are to be preferred. All solutions should be 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 377 

labeled "poison," and to avoid accidents none should be kept on- 
hand. 

(5) Formalin and formaldehj^de gas have been found very eiRca- 
cious as sanitary agents. Formalin is the commercial name for the 
40 per cent solution of formaldehyde gas in water, and is one of the 
most powerful antiseptics and disinfectants that we possess. Solu- 
tions of this strength are manufactured by different commercial 
houses, and sold by the drug trade under the name of " f ormalose " 
and '' formal.'' In this connection it should be mentioned that while 
the 40 per cent solution of formaldehyde gas and formalin are ex- 
actly the same thing, the former can be purchased at 33^ to G4 per 
cent less than the latter. Formalin may be applied, diluted with 
water in the proportion of 1 pint of formalin to 30 parts of water, 
or 4 ounces of formalin to each gallon of water, and it may thus be 
used as a wash or as a spray on all paints, metals, and woodwork, as 
well as on clothing and other fabrics, without exerting any injurious 
influence on the objects treated. It may also be applied to floors, 
walls, and woodwork in whitewash by mixing 1 part of formalin to 
30 parts of lime wash, or 4 ounces of formalin to each gallon of lime 
wash. Formalin has the appearance of water and in the strong solu- 
tion is poisonous, but when diluted as recommended above it is not 
dangerous. The fumes given off by it, however, are very disagree- 
able and irritating to the eyes and nasal mucous membranes. One 
and one-half ounces of formalin added to 1 gallon of water is a valu- 
able agent for the disinfection of the skin or septic wounds, but is 
somewhat painful and irritating to raw surfaces. 

Formaldehyde is a gas which is soluble in 2| parts of water (40 
parts of formaldehyde gas to 100 parts of water), and this solution 
constitutes the formalin of commerce. The use of formaldehyde gas 
is in most cases impracticable for stable disinfection. In case the 
stable is not too large and can be made almost air-tight the genera- 
tion of formaldehyde gas, after removing all the animals, will be 
found very serviceable. It penetrates all parts of the stable — the 
walls, crevises, floors, ceiling — and is probably the best fumigating 
disinfectant that we have. This gas may be generated by a specially 
constructed apparatus devised for this purpose, but this method of 
disinfection, while practicable in the house, is rather inapplicable for 
stables and should be used only by experienced persons. 

(6) Some coal-tar products, such as creolin and Ij'sol, are cheap, 
effective, and easily applied disinfectants, their action being due to 
the carbolic acid and creosote in their com-position. They may be 
used in 3 to 5 per cent solution. Creolin forms a milky solution in 
water, while the aqueous solution of lysol is clear and oily. 

When it is desired to apply any of these above-mentioned agents to 
the stable or barnyard, a preliminaiy cleaning up of all debris and 



VARIOUS BACTERIA WHICH PRODUCE DISEIASE IN CATTLE. 

[Description of PI. XXIX.] 

The bacteria on this plate are partly from tissues, partly from cultures, and 
stained artificially with aniline colors (fuchsin or methylene blue). Figs. 6 and 
7 are copied from Frankel and Pfeiffer's atlas. All but fig. 7 are magnified 
1,000 times ; fig. 7, 500 times. 

Fig. 1. Bacteria from pneumonia in cattle. These are also the cause of hemor- 
rhagic septicemia and are closely related to swine-plague bacteria. These 
bacteria were drawn from a piece of spleen pulp (rabbit). 

Fig. 2. Micrococci (streptococcus) which produce inflammation of the lining 
membranes of the abdomen, thorax, heart, brain, and joints. Frequently associ- 
ated with the preceding bacteria in abscesses. 

Fig. 3. Micrococci (staphylococcus) which produce inflammation and sup- 
puration, also pyemia. 

Fig. 4. Bacilli of blackleg. The pale oval bodies as well as the light spots in 
one end of the bacilli represent spores. 

Fig. 5. Bacilli which produce tetanus, or lockjaw. The light spot in the en- 
larged end of each rod represents a sporeu 

Fig. 6. Bacilli of tuberculosis. Microscopic sections of a pearly nodule from 
the lining membrane of the chest cavity. The bacilli are stained red and ap- 
pear as small straight rods within the cells of the nodule, or tubercle. 

Fig. 7. Bacilli of anthrax. Bacilli from the spleen of a mouse inoculated with 
a culture. The bacilli were obtained from the blood of a cow which died o| 
anthrax in Mississippi. The bacilli appear as rods stained blue. The round 
bodies are blood corpuscles, also stained artificially. 

378 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxix 




Fi6.i 



Fi^. 2 





Fi^.4 



Fi^. 5 




\ f K \ 



\\\ 



.\i'/. 







Fig. 6 



Fiij. 7 



Haines del 



Various Bacteria which produce disease in Cattle. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 379 

litter is advisable, together with the scraping of the floor, mangers, 
and walls of the stable with hoes and the removal of all dust and 
filth. This should be followed by the burning of all such accumula- 
tions, inasmuch as this material likewise contains the infectious prin- 
ciple and is best destroyed by heat. Heat may be applied to the 
surface of the affected pen, byre, or barnyard by means of a cyclone 
burner, which consists of a tank, pump, hose, and cyclone nozzle for 
spraying with paraffin (gas oil). The latter is ejected in the form of 
spray, which when ignited gives a very hot and effective flame to be 
applied to the infected ground. Where such burning is impracticable 
the surface soil of the yard and surroundings should be removed to a 
depth of 5 or 6 inches and then placed in a heap and thoroughly 
mixed with air-slaked lime. The fresh surface of the soil thus ex- 
posed may then be sprinkled with any of the above-mentioned disin- 
fectants. 

In addition to these artificial substances there are several natural 
sanitary agents of great importance as destroyers of virus. These 
are cleanliness, ventilation, drying, and sunshine. All virus, ex- 
cepting such as may live in the soil, is killed sooner or later by drying 
and sunshine, and the importance of these factors in the daily life of 
animals need not be insisted on here. Finally, all sanitary measures 
which contribute to the healthfulness of animal surroundings are 
directly or indirectly inimical to disease germs, and all carelessness 
in the keeping of animals may be regarded as an ally of these de- 
structive organisms. 

. CONTAGIOUS PLEUROPNEUMONIA. 

De-finition and history. — This disease has been eradicated from the 
United States, and it is not probable that it will ever be seen in this 
country again. As, however, much interest was manifested in regard 
to it for a number of years, and as our cattle are still prohibited from 
some foreign markets on account of its previous existence here, the 
subject is treated at greater length than would otherwise be necessary. 

The contagious pleuropneumonia of cattle is a specific epizootic 
disease which affects bovine animals, and from which other species 
are exempt. It is characterized, when the disease results from ex- 
posure in the usual manner, by an inflammation of the lungs and 
pleurae, which is generally extensive, and which has a tendency to 
invade portions of these organs not primarily affected and to cause 
death of the diseased portion of the lung. This disease is frequently 
called the lung plagv\e^ which corresponds with its German name 
of Lungenseuche. In French it is spoken of as the pSHpneumonie 
contagieuse. 



380 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

The history of the conta^ous pleuropneumonia of cattle can not be 
traced with any certainty to a period earlier than the beginning of 
the eighteenth century. No doubt it existed and ravaged the herds of 
Europe for many years and perhaps centuries before that time, but 
veterinary knowledge was so limited that the descriptions of the 
symptoms and post-mortem appearances are too vague and too limited 
to admit of the identification of the maladies to which, they refer. It 
has been supposed by some writers that certain passages in the writ- 
ings of Aristotle, Livy, and Virgil show the existence of pleuro- 
pneumonia at the time that their works were composed, but their 
references are too indefinite to be seriously accepted as indicating 
this rather than some other disease. 

As early as 1713 and 1714 it seems quite plain that pleuropneu- 
monia existed in Suabia and several Cantons of Switzerland. Even 
clearer accounts are in existence of its prevalence in Switzerland in 
1732, 1743, and 1765. In 1769 a disease of cattle was investigated in 
Franche-Comte by Bourgelat which was called nrnrie, but which un- 
doubtedly was identical with the pleuropneumonia of to-day. From 
that period we have fi'equent and well-authenticated accounts of its 
existence in various parts of Europe. During the period from 1790 
to 1812 it was spread throughout a large portion of the continent of 
Europe by the cattle driven for the subsistence of the armies, which 
marched and countermarched in all directions. It was generally pre- 
valent in Italy in 1800. It appears to have been unknown, however, 
in the Department of the Nord, France, until 1826, but during the 
years from 1820 to 1840 it penetrated into most parts of that country. 
During the same period it was introduced into and allowed to spread 
over Belgium and Holland. 

This contagion is said to have been carried to Ireland from Hol- 
land in 1839, and is reported as existing in England in 1842. The 
disease was brought to the United States at several different times. 
Probably the first introduction of the contagion was with a diseased 
cow sold in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1843. It came to New Jersey by im- 
porting affected animals in 1847. Massachusetts was infected in the 
same way in 1859. 

South Africa was infected by a bull brought from Holland in 1854, 
and Australia likewise received the contagion with an English cow in 
1858. It is also reported as existing in various parts of the continent 
of Asia, but the time of its first appearance and the extent of its dis- 
tribution are very uncertain. 

Some countries, which had been infected for only a short time, such 
as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, have succeeded in eradicating the 
disease without much difficulty by slaughtering all affected and ex- 
posed animals. Other countries long infected and in which the con- 
tagion was thoroughly established, like Australia, South Africa, 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 381 

Italy, France, Belgium, and parts of Germany, have labored long, 
in some cases making no progress and in others being only partially 
successful. Holland was one of the first of the thoroughly infected 
countries to free itself from the contagion. 

In the United States, Massachusetts eradicated pleuropneumonia 
during the period from 1860 to 1866. New York and New Jersey 
made an attempt to eradicate it in 1879, but were not successful. 
Late in 1883 the contagion was carried to Ohio, probably by Jersey 
cattle purchased in the vicinity of Baltimore, Md., to which place it 
had extended previous to 1868. From the herd then infected it was 
spread by the sale of cattle during 1884 to a limited number of herds 
in Illinois, to one herd in Missouri, and to two herds in Kentuclcy. 
The alarm caused among the stock owners of the United States by 
this widespread dissemination of a disease so much dreaded led to 
the adoption of active measures for its control and eradication. By 
cooperation between the United States Department of Agriculture 
and the authorities of the affected States it was found possible to 
prevent the further spread of the contagion and to eradicate it after 
a few months' delay. 

In 1886 pleuropneumonia was discovered in some of the large dis- 
tillery stables of Chicago and among cows on neighboring lots. This 
led to renewed efforts to secure the complete extirpation of this dis- 
ease from the country. Congress in 1887 enlarged the appropriation 
available for this purpose, and gave more extended authority. Dur- 
ing the same year the disease was stamped out of Chicago, and has 
not since appeared in any district west of the Allegheny Mountains. 

The work of eradication was at the same time commenced in all of 
the infected States. Before the end of the year 1889 Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia had been 
freed from the disease. More difficulties, however, were encountered 
in the States of New York and New Jersey, on account of the larger 
territory infected and the density of the population. The long strug- 
gle was crowned with success, however, and the last animal in which 
the disease appeared in the State of New York was slaughtered early 
in 1891, and the last one affected in New Jersey met the same fate 
early in the spring of 1892. 

During these same years a supreme effort had been made to stamp 
out this lung plague from Great Britain. From the official reports 
it appears that the number of infected districts and of diseased ani- 
mals had rapidly diminished, but it was not until 1898 that the in- 
fection was finally eradicated. 

The other infected European countries, though they maintain a 
veterinary sanitary service, are not making satisfactory progress in 
eradicating the disease. This is due partly to delays in carrying out 
the provisions of the laws and partly to mistaken ideas as to the 



382 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

measures which are necessary to accomplish the object. The United 
States was the last of the countries, ha^dng old infected districts, 
which undertook to stamp out this contagion, and, excepting Hol- 
land, it was the first to reach success. 

The cause {etiology) of pleuropneumonia. — This is a contagious 
disease, and only arises by contagion from a previously affected 
animal; consequently it can never be seen here except as the result of 
importing affected animals from the Old World. When thoroughly 
stamped out it does not reappear, and if imported animals continue 
to be properly inspected and quarantined we have every reason to 
believe that pleuroj^neumonia will never again be seen affecting the 
cattle of this country. 

The exact nature of the virus or contagion of lung plague has never 
been determined. Various investigators have from time to time 
claimed the discovery of the specific organism of the disease, but it 
was not until 1898 that Nocard and Roux, by an ingenious method 
of cultivation, succeeded in obtaining a very feeble growth of an ex- 
ceedingly minute microorganism. With these cultures the disease 
was produced in cattle. 

Some investigators and writers are of the opinion that the disease 
can be contracted only by an animal coming near enough to a living 
diseased animal to receive the contagion directly from it. They hold 
that the contagion is expired with the air from the affected lungs, 
and that it must be almost imjnediately inspired by another animal in 
order to produce the disease. Some experimental attempts to infect 
animals by placing them in stables where diseased animals have been, 
and by placing the diseased lungs of slaughtered animals in their 
feeding troughs have failed, and, consequently, apparently confirm 
this view. 

On the other hand, it is known that the serum from affected lungs 
retains its virulence and may be used successfully for inoculation 
weeks or months after the death of the animal from which it was 
taken. This is particularly the case when this liquid is hermetically 
sealed in glass tubes. Other investigators state that they have suc- 
cessfully infected cattle by placing in the nostrils sponges or pledgets 
of cotton saturated with such seinim. Cattle have also, according to 
the best evidence obtainable, been infected from the clothing of 
attendants, from horns used in drenching, and from smelling about 
wagons which have been used to transport carcasses of animals 
affected with this disease. In the work of eradicating pleuropneu- 
monia from the United States many stables were found in which the 
disease would appear and reappear after the slaughter of affected 
herds, and in spite of any precautions which could be adopted. These 
were always old stables, with woodwork in a decaying condition 
and with floors underlaid with filth which could not be thoroughly 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 383 

removed or disinfected. In every one of these cases the destruction 
of the stable, the burning of the hunber of which it was constructed, 
the removal of the accumulations beneath the floors, and the thor- 
ough disinfection prevented the recurrence of the plague in new 
stables built upon the same premises. This experience conclusively 
shows that under certain conditions, at least, stables may retain the 
infection for a considerable time, and that when restocked the disease 
may break out again from such infection. 

As a rule, however, the disease is acquired by a healthy animal 
being near to an affected one and receiving the contagion direct. 
Affected animals may give off the contagion in the early stages of the 
disease before the symptoms are apparent to the observer, and they 
may retain this infectious character, if they survive the attack, for 
six months and probably for a year after all symptoms of the disease 
have disappeared. 

Incubation. — The time which elapses between exposure to the con- 
tagion of pleuropneumonia and the first appearance of the symptoms 
of this disease varies greatly with different individuals and with dif- 
ferent outbreaks of the disease. Ordinarily the symptoms of disease 
make their appearance within three to six weeks after exposure; 
but they may be observed within two weeks or they may not become 
apparent until nearly or quite three months. It is this long period of 
incubation and the great length of time that an animal may dissemi- 
nate the contagion after apparent recovery which give the plague 
that insidious character so often spoken of, and which greatly in- 
crease the difficulties of eradication. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are such as would be expected with 
inflammation of the lungs and pleurae, but they vary considerably 
according to the type which the disease manifests. If the attack is 
an acute one, as is frequently seen in hot weather, the symptoms 
appear suddenly ; the breathing becomes rapid and difficult, the ani- 
mal grunts or moans with each expiration, the shoulders stand out 
from the chest, the head is extended on the neck, the back is arched, 
the temperature is 104° to 107° F., the milk secretion is suspended, 
there is no appetite, rumination is stopped, the animal may bloat and 
later be affected with a severe diarrhea. Such cases are generally 
fatal in 7 to 20 days. 

Very often the attack comes on slowly and the symptoms are much 
less clear. In the mildest cases there is a cough for a week or two, 
but no appreciable loss of appetite or elevation of temperature. The 
lungs are but slightly affected and recovery soon follows. Such 
animals may disseminate the contagion for a long time without being 
suspected, and for that reason are the most dangerous of all. 

A more severe type of the plague is the most frequently seen. In 
these cases the cough is frequent, more or less painful, the back 



384 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

somewhat arched, and the milk secretion diminished. The promi- 
nence of these symptoms increases, the appetite is affected, the animal 
loses fle^h, the breathing becomes more rapid, the cough more painful, 
pressure of the fingers between the ribs shows tenderness, the hair 
loses its gloss and stands erect, the skin becomes adherent, little, if 
any, milk is secreted, and the temperature rises, varying in different 
animals from 103° to 107° F. Animals thus affected may continue to 
grow worse and die in from three to eight weeks, or they may after a 
time begin to improve and make an apparent recovery. The inflam- 
mation of the lung does not, as a rule, subside and the organ return 
to its normal condition as is the case in ordinary pneumonia, but w .'li 
this disease the life of the affected portion of the lung is destroyed, 
the tissue dies, and a fibrous wall is formed around it to shut it away 
from the living parts of the body. The tissue, thus encysted, gradu- 
ally softens, becomes disintegrated, and breaks down into pus. The 
recovery, therefore, is not complete; it is only apparent and partial. 

To those accustomed to examining the lungs of cattle, other and 
extremely important symptoms may be apparent during the course of 
the disease. By applying the ear over the walls of the chest an area 
of a certain extent may be found where the natural breathing sound 
is diminished or entirely lost. This represents the diseased portion 
of the lungs. In other cases a loud blowing sound may be heard, 
quite different from any sound produced when the lung is in a healthy 
condition. In some cases crepitation is heard near the border line of 
the diseased area and friction sounds produced by the roughened 
pleura; but these can be appreciated only by those whose ears have 
been trained to distinguish between the different sounds which reach 
the ear when applied to the chest wall. By percussion — that is, by 
pressing the fingers of the left hand firmly against the wall of the 
chest and tapping upon the middle finger with the ends of the fingers 
of the right hand — an area of dullness may be discovered correspond- 
ing to the portion where the respiratory murmur has disappeared. 
This loss of respiration detected by auscultation, and the dullness 
brought out by percussion, are the most important evidences of an 
inflamed or consolidated lung. 

Seriously affected animals remain standing if they have sufficient 
strength, but those which lie down always lie on the affected side. 

The proportion of animals which become affected after being ex- 
posed varies according to the virulence of the outbreak, the sus- 
ceptibility of the animals, and the length of time during which expo- 
sure is continued. Sometimes not over 15, 20, or 30 per cent will 
contract the disease when a large herd is exposed ; but, on the other 
hand, 80 or 90 per cent may be affected. The proportion of cases in 
which the disease proves fatal also varies greatly — it may not exceed 
10 per cent and it may reach 50 per cent. In general, it may be said 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 385 

that about 40 per cent of the exposed animals will contract the dis- 
ease and about one-half of these cases will prove fatal. 

Post-mortem ajyfcara.Tiees. — Owing to the complexity of the struc- 
ture of the lung tissue, its ramifications of bronchial tubes and blood 
vessels, and its abundant supply of lymphatics, the pathological 
changes in pleuropneumonia are interpreted with great difficulty. 
Furthermore there are /certain kinds of pneumonia which present 
some resemblances to pleuropneumonia and which may therefore be 
confused with it in some of its phases. 

If we kill an animal affected with acute pleuropneumonia and ex- 
amine the cavity of the chest and lungs, the following appearances 
will be noted : 

The thorax may contain more or less serum, which may be cleaj- or 
clouded. There may be firm adhesions of different parts of the lungs 
to the chest wall, the extent of which depends on the stage and 
severity of the disease. The diseased lobes are unusually large and 
exceedingly firm to the touch. The weight of a single large lobe may 
reach 40 pounds. Usually only one side is affected, often but a single 
lobe, and this most commonly the large or principal lobe. The pleura 
may be covered with one or more layers of a firm, elastic, grayish 
membrane, which varies in thickness and which sometimes may be 
pulled away entirely. Sometimes it is absent. The pleura, however, 
is opaque and apparently very much thickened. This is due to the 
diseased condition of the connective tissue beneath the pleura, as 
will be explained later. When an affected lobe is cut through at 
right angles to its long diameter, the cut surface will present a variety 
of interesting clianges. In the first place the spaces between the 
small subdivisions of the lung (the lobules), which in the healthy 
lung are barely visible, are distended with a yellowish white, usually 
quite firm, substance, which is coagulated fibrin. The cut surface 
thus appears divided up into small fields by yellowish white bands of 
varying thiclmess running in various directions through the lung tis- 
sue and beneath the pleura. (PI. XXXII.) These bands may appear 
honeycombed and the spaces filled with yellowish fluid (serum) or 
they may be uniformly solid. It will also be noticed that the space 
immediately outside of and around the artery, vein, and air tube is 
similarly broadened by fibrinous deposits. Some authorities look 
upon these bands as constituting the so-called " marbling " of pleuro- 
pneumonia. 

In addition to these changes which have taken place in the connec- 
tive tissue between the lobules, the lung tissue itself may be mark- 
edly altered. Certain areas of the cut surface may be very firm in 
texture and brownish red in color. The cut surface is granular or 
roughened, not smooth to the eye. Other areas equally firm may be 
more grayish yellow in color and still others may be blackish. (PI. 
16923°— 12 25 



386 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

XXXIII.) Besides these areas which represent solidified (hepatized) 
lung tissue there may be others which approach the normal lung tis- 
sue in color and which are soft and float in water. From these a 
milky pumlent fluid may often be expressed. These different shades 
are represented in Plate XXXII, fig. 2, within a small compass. Some 
authorities are inclined to consider these variations in color on the 
same cut surface as the so-called marbling of pleuropneumonia. It 
matters not whether we regard the bands between the lobules or the 
varying shades of the lobules themselves as the marbling, provided 
either or both are peculiar to contagious pleuropneumonia. If we 
examine the blood vessels appearing on such cut surface they will 
usually be found plugged within the firmly hepatized regions. The 
artery contains a dark, soft, removable clot, the vein a grayish pink, 
granular, fragile plug (thrombus), which adheres firmly to the wall 
of the vein, and if this be slit open indications of a diseased condition 
of the inner coat will be readily detected. When large regions of the 
lung tissues are hepatized, the main air tube and its branches are 
usually filled with grayish, cylindrical branched masses of fibrin 
easily removed, as they do not adhere to the mucous membrane. 

The views of pathologists differ as to the nature of the earliest 
changes in pleuropneumonia, and it is not within the scope of this 
work to present imperfectly developed or controverted theories. In 
the foregoing description we have taken as a type the acute pleuro- 
pneumonia in its fully developed phase, which can scarcely be mis- 
taken for any other disease. We have seen that there is an inflam- 
matory condition of the connective tissue between the lobules, result- 
ing in the exudation of coagulable lymph. This inflammation is 
equally marked around the blood vessels and air tubes. It leads to 
inflammatory changes in the inner wall of the veins, and these cause 
the deposition of thrombi or plugs in the vessels, which prevent the 
return of the blood. The blood pumped into the lung tissue through 
the artery, but unable to get out by way of the vein, leaves the mesh- 
work of capillaries around the air vesicles, enters the latter, and pro- 
duces the firm, hepatized condition so characteristic of this disease. 
It will be easily understood how the different shades of color from 
dark red to grayish or yellowish red are produced if we bear in mind 
that the veins in different parts of the lung tissue are plugged at dif- 
ferent times, and that therefore the affected regions are in different 
stages of disease. 

The complete plugging of the veins may lead to the death of cir- 
cumscribed masses of lung tissue. A line of separation forms between 
the living and the dead tissue and a thick cyst wall of fibrous tissue 
forms around the latter. The dead tissue for a time preserves the 
appearance of lung tissue, then undergoes disintegration and lique- 
faction. The softened mass is finally absorbed and the walls of the 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OP CATTLE. 387 

cyst, or capsule around it, gradually collapse and form a cicatrix. 
This favorable termination takes place only when the dead mass is not 
too large. It may, however, involve over a half of one of the large 
lobes. Under such circumstances recovery is improbable. A more 
favorable termination is the abundant growth of fibrous tissue around 
and into the hepatized masses. The formation of fibrous tissue may 
extend to the pleura, or lung covering, and cause firm adhesion of the 
lungs to the chest wall and to the pericardium, or heart case. 

The same peculiar inflammatory changes which take place between 
the lobules of the lung and around the bronchi and vessels may invade 
the pleural cavity, cause extensive membranous and spongy deposits 
on the pleura and firm deposits around the heart and large arteries, 
the gullet, and windpipe. 

These are the main features of the lung disease caused by contagious 
pleuropneumonia. In the typical acute cases there are a sufficient 
number of peculiarities to enable us to make a positive diagnosis. 
There are, however, many cases in which the disease is restricted to 
small areas, or to the interlobular tissue, or in which the changes are 
as yet imperfectly developed, or else so far advanced that doubts may 
arise as to the true nature of the affection. In such cases all obtain- 
able facts, including the history of the case, the symptoms during life, 
and the pathological changes observed on post-mortem examination 
must be taken into consideration. Only one who has made a careful 
study of the disease is fitted to decide in such cases. 

Other kinds of lung disease may be confounded with pleuropneu- 
monia because of certain features common to most lung diseases of 
cattle. The inflammation of the connective tissue between the lob- 
ules is not infrequently observed in so-called interstitial pneumonia 
and may lead to the formation of whitish bands intersecting the lung 
tissue in various directions. On the cut surface these bands may give 
rise to a decidedly marbled appearance. Again, in traumatic pneu- 
monia, due, as its name implies, to the entrance of foreign bodies into 
the lung tissue, generally from the paunch, the connective tissue 
around the place of disease becomes inflamed and thickened, and the 
disease itself may simulate pleuropneumonia in its retrogressive 
stages when it is confined to a small portion of lung tissue. The 
filling up of the interlobular spaces with fibrin and connective tissue 
of inflammatory origin is not thus limited to pleuropneumonia, but 
may appear in a marked degree in other lung diseases. It must not 
be inferred from this statement that these interlobular changes are 
necessarily the same as those in pleuropneumonia, although they may 
appear the same to the naked eye. We simply note their presence 
without discussing their nature. 

In general, the distinction between pleuropneumonia and broncho- 
pneumonia is not difficult to make. In the latter disease the pneu- 



388 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

monia generally invades certain lobes, as indicated by the dotted line 
on Plate XXX. The disease attacks the smaller lobes in their lowest 
portions firet and gradually extends upward, i. e., toward the root of 
the lung or the back of the animal and backward into the large prin- 
cipal lobes. Again, both lungs in advanced cases are often symmetri- 
cally a fleeted, as shown by the dotted line on both lungs in the plate 
referred to. In contagious pleuropneumonia the large principal lobe 
of one side is most frequently affected, and a symmetrical disease of 
both lungs is very rare, if, in fact, it has ever been observed. The 
lung tissue in bronchopneimionia is not enlarged, but rather more 
contracted than the normal tissue around it. This is well illustrated 
in Plate XXXI. Normal air-containing lobules may be scattered 
among and around the hepatized portion in an irregular manner. In 
pleuropneumonia the diseased and healthy portions are either sharply 
divided off, one from the other, or else they shade into each other 
by intermediate stages. 

The hepatized lung tissue in bronchopneumonia when the cut sur- 
face is examined is usually of a more or less dark flesh color with paler 
grayish yellow dots regularly interspei'sed, giving it a peculiar mot- 
tled appearance. In the more advanced stages it becomes more firm, 
and may contain nodular and firmer masses disseminated through it. 
The air tubes usually contain more or less soft creamy or cheesy pus 
or a turbid fluid quite different fi'om the loose fibrinous casts of 
acute pleuropneumonia. The interlobular tissue may or may not be 
affected. It sometimes contains loose fibrinous plugs, or it may be 
greatly distended with air, especially in the still normal portions of 
the lung. The pleura is seldom seriously diseased. If we contrast 
with these features the firm dark-red hepatizations, the plugging of 
the veins, the extensive interlobular deposits, and the well-marked 
pleuritis in pleuropneumonia^ there is little chance for confusion 
between well-developed cases of these two lung diseases. 

It should not be forgotten, however, that the lesions of the disease 
known as contagious pleuropneumonia may be confined to the serous 
membranes of the thorax, or they may be confined to the parenchyma 
of the lungs; they may affect a whole lobe, or only a small portion of 
the lobe; they may or may not cause the so-called marbled appear- 
ance. In the same wa}'^ bronchopneumonia may vary as to the parts 
of the lung affected, the extent of the lesions, the degree and kind of 
pathological changes in the interlobular tissue, the color of the lung 
on cross section, and the amount of hepatization. In individual cases,, 
therefore, it is often necessary to take into account the history of the 
animal, the course of the disease, and the communicability of the 
affection before a diagnosis can be made between the two diseases. 

Prevention and treatment. — The prevention of pleuropneumonia, as 
of other contagious diseases, consists in keeping animals so that they 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTIjE. 389 

will not be exposed to the contagion. As the disease arises only by 
contagion, there is no possibility of an animal becoming affected with 
it unless it has been exposed. If, therefore, pleuropneumonia exists 
in a locality the owner of healthy cattle should make every effort to 
keep his animals from coming near those which are affected or near 
any which have been exposed. He should be equally particular not 
to allow any person who has been on the infected premises to visit 
his own pastures, stables, or cattle, 

If pleuropneumonia breaks out in a heitl every animal in that herd 
should be slaughtered, the stables should be thoroughly cleaned and 
disinfected, and no other cattle should be allowed on the premises 
until a period of 90 days has elapsed. 

Medical treatment of affected animals is unavailing and should not 
be attempted. No matter how valuable the diseased animals may have 
been before they contracted the disease, they should at once be de- 
stroyed and the contagion eradicated. This is the best policy for 
the individual as well as for the community. 

The eradication of this disease by local or national governments can 
be successful only when the same principles are adopted and carried 
out as are here recommended for individual stables. It is then a diffi- 
cult undertaking, simply because the contagion is generally widely 
disseminated before any measures are adopted^ and because a great 
majority of cattle owners will never report the existence of the dis- 
ease. Regulations must therefore be enforced which will insure the 
prompt discovery of every herd in which the disease appears, as well 
as the destruction of all diseased and exposed animals and the tlior- 
ough disinfection of the premises. 

To discover pleuropneumonia sufficiently early for this purpose, the 
district supposed to be infected should be clearly defined and a suffi- 
cient force of inspectors should be constantly employed to inspect 
every herd in that district at least once in two weeks, or, better, once 
a week. No bovine animal should be allowed to go out of the defined 
district alive, and all which enter it should be carefully inspected to 
insure their freedom fi^om disease. As an asistance to the discovery 
of diseased herds, every animal which dies in the infected district 
from any cause, and every animal which is slaughtered, even if ap- 
parently in good health, should be the subject of a careful post- 
mortem examination. Many affected herds will be found in this way. 

In addition to these measures it is also necessary to guard against 
the removal of animals from one stable to another and the mixing of 
herds upon common pastures or in the public highways. The object 
must be to isolate every individual's cattle as completely as possible, 
or otherwise a single affected animal may infect a dozen or more 
herds. To prevent surreptitious sale or trading of cattle, each animal 
must in some way be numbered and recorded in the books kept by the 



PLEUBOPNEUMONIA. 

[Description of plates.] 

Plate XXX. The dorsal, or nnper. surface of the lungs of the ox reduced to 
one-sixth of tho natural size: a. ,?', the right and the left principal lobes. These 
are the largop^- sr-} are situaio.": i;< steriorly, resting upon the diaphragm; b, &', 
the ventral lobes, situated between th^; principal lobes; and c, c', c" the most 
anterior, or ceiihalic, lobes. The right anterior is divided into two lobes (c, c'), 
the left is single (c") ; d, trachea, or vnndpipe. 

Those portions of the lung tissue lying outside of the dotted lines are the ones 
most commonly affected in the ordinary types of pneumonia. In the majority 
of the lungs examined in the laboratory of the bureau which were affected with 
contagious pleuropneumonia the prirjcipn lobes (a, a') were primarily affected. 

Plate XXXI. 'f'he ventral, or middle, iobe of the right lung affected with col- 
lapse and beginning bronchopneumonia. The light yellowish portions repre- 
sent healthy lung i'«!sue; the red represents the disease. It will be noticed 
that the lines between the lobules are qu'te faint, indicating little or no inflam- 
mation of the connective tissue between the lobules. The healthy lung tissue 
is seen to be raised above the level of the diseased portion. In contagious 
pleuropneumonia the exact reverse is the case, the diseased portions being very 
much larger ihRn the heaHhy. 

Plate XXXII. Appearance of a cow's Inng affected with contagious pleuro- 
pneumonia when sections or slices are made of it and cut surfaces examined. 
Fig. 1. Transverse section through the right principal lobe in a case of acute 
pleuropneumonia. The area drawn includes the air tubes, veins, and arteries 
and illustrates the great thickening of the interlobular connective tissue into 
broad whitish bands and of the walls of the air tubes, veins, and arteries; a, 
air tube cut obliquely; a', air tube cut directly across; ft, arteries cut across; 
c, large vein completely occluded by a thiombus, or plug, formed during life. 
The great thickening of the walls of tlie artery and vein in this disease is 
especially brought out by stating that ii. t'le healthy lung they are so thin as 
to be easily overlooked. Fig. 2. Transv^jrse section of the principal lobe in a 
case of acute pleuropneumonia, illustrating the different kinds of hepatization 
or consolidation of the lung. These are indicated by the different colors from 
dark red to reddish yellow. This variation of color is regarded by some as 
the real marbling characteristic of pleuropneumonia, while the whitish bands 
penetrating the lung tissue in all directions constitute the true marbling accord- 
ing to other observers. 

Plate XXXIII illustrates what are called infarctions in pleuropneumonia. 
The right half of the figure shows nearly normal lung tissue. The left repre- 
sents a blackish mass in which the lung tissue is filled with blood and solidified. 
This is caused by the plugging of the vein carrying away the blood from this 
portion. The heart forces the blood through the artery into the tissue at con- 
siderable pressure, but, owing to the fact that its return is prevented, the minute 
blood vessels rupture and the air vesicles become distended with blood, which 
coagulates and causes the firnaness of the tissue. 
390 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxx 




Haines del 



ULIUS eiEN CO.N.Y. 



Upper, OR Dorsal, surface of the Lungs ofthe Ox. 

('/12 NATURAL SIZE.) 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxxi 




Haines del 



Broncho -Pneumonia. 



JULIUS BIEN CO NY. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxxii 




Fi-.l 




i-'ig. a 
Contagious Pleuro-Pneumonia. 



JULIUS 8IEN COf 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxxiii 




INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 391 

official in charge of the district. In the work of the United States 
Department of Agriculture a numbered metal tag was fastened to 
each animal's ear, and index books were so arranged that with a 
number given the owner could be at once ascertained, or from the 
owner's name the cattle for which he was responsible could be at once 
learned. In this way, if an animal was missing from a stable the fact 
became apparent at onqe, or if one animal too many was found in a 
stable the number in its ear would indicate where it came from. 

Allien pleuropneumonia is discovered by these means, the entire 
herd should be slaughtered as soon as the formalities of appraisement 
can be arranged. In country districts the carcasses should be buried, 
as it is generally impracticable to dispose of them in any other way. 
In city districts the animals may be taken to a slaughterhouse, with 
such precautions as are possible to prevent dissemination of the con- 
tagion. The animals should be slaughtered under the supervision of 
an inspector. The healthy carcasses may be utilized for food, but the 
blood, entrails, and all diseased carcasses should be heated to a tem- 
perature equal to or above boiling water, and then used for the manu- 
facture of fertilizers. 

The disinfection of premises should be thorough and should be car- 
ried out by a trained corps of men employed for that purpose. The 
floors of stables should be removed, the accumulations removed from 
beneath them, the contents of haylofts should be destroyed, and the 
woodwork and soil beneath the stables should be thoroughly drenched 
with a solution of bichlorid of mercury, 1 part to 2,000 of water. 
After the flooring is replaced the woodwork should be coated with 
limewash, containing one- fourth pound of chlorid of lime to the gal- 
lon of mixture. 

Usually in these cases the owners are dependent upon their herd of 
cows for a living, and consequently it is difficult or impossible to 
hold the stables vacant for any considerable period. In a majority of 
instances cattle may be admitted at once to stables so disinfected, 
without the reappearance of the disease. Occasionally, however, it 
will reappear without apparent cause. For this reason the inspection 
and other measures must be maintained in the infected district for six 
months or a year after the last case of disease has been disposed of. 

Many people have objected to the slaughter of diseased and exposed 
animals as an unscientific and expensive method of eradicating this 
disease. To these it may be answered that it is the only method 
which has ever proved successful, and that in the end it is much more 
economical than temporizing measures. 

Inoculation has been adopted in many countries, and has undoubt- 
edly lessened the death rate, but .the disease is kept up and spreads 
where this practice is allowed. For this reason it should be prohib- 



392 DISEASES or cattle. 

ited AvhereA'er there is a possibility and disposition to eradicate the 
contagion. 

RINDERPEST. 

Rinderpest, also known as cattle plague, is an acute, infections dis- 
ease of cattle, in which the digestive organs are mainly involved. 
Though unknown in this country, the importance of having near at 
hand a few definite facts concerning this disease, should it ever reach 
our shores, will be at once appreciated. A knoAvledge of such facts 
may aid in an early recognition of the disease. It must not be for- 
gotten, on the other hand, that a superficial knowledge of diseases, 
such as the layman may gain through reading, not infrequently leads 
to confounding comparatively harmless, noninfectious maladies with 
such as are truly dangerous (foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, 
etc.), and causes temporary panics among stock owners. 

Rinderpest has its home, according to some authorities, in the ter- 
ritory around the Black Sea and the Volga River in Russia; accord- 
ing to others, in Central Asia. Thence it has been conveyed at va- 
rious times by cattle to nearly every country of Europe and Asia, 
where it has proved a veritable bovine scourge. It probably visited 
Europe as early as the beginning of the Christian era, and the migra- 
tions of people from the Far East have since then introduced the dis- 
ease from time to time. Especially during the eighteenth century it 
was more or less prevalent in Europe, owing to the frequent wars, 
during which herds of cattle were brought from eastern Europe and 
Asia to supply the demands of the armies. It prevailed in Europe 
during the Franco-Prussian War. At present it exists in Russia, 
South Africa, and the Philippines. 

The virus is conveyed from one country to another chiefly by means 
of infected cattle, although infected hides, wool, and food may play 
an important part in its dissemination. The railroad facilities of the 
present, which furnish the means of such rapid comniunication, are 
particular!}' liable to aid in the spread of the disease. 

In the past rinderpest has been supposed to be identical with vari- 
ous human diseases, among them smallpox and typhoid fever. These 
suppositions are unfounded, and the view of authorities to-day is 
that it is a disease of a peculiar kind, not identical with any other 
known infectious disease. 

The contagion of rinderpest, — The cause of rinderpest must be 
looked for among microorganisms — most likely bacteria. However, 
the investigations made thus far for this causal factor have been 
fruitless, although certain recent experiments would indicate that 
the unseen microbe is of such dimensions that it is withheld by the 
dense bacterial filters, but passes through the more porous ones. It 
was formerly supposed by various authorities that rinderpest virus 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 393 

appeared spontaneously under the influence of deteriorated food and 
long and exhausting drives, also during unusual meteorological con- 
ditions. This view, however, is no longer maintained. It is probable 
that the disease in its home in Asia is perpetuated by continual infec- 
tion of fresh animals, and some authorities even go so far as to Ix^lieve 
that the disease would be entirely stamped out, even in its native 
haunts, by a destniction of all sick and infected herds. However this 
may be, the success of such an undertaking would largely depend on 
the nature of the cause. If a strictly parasitic organism, like the con- 
tagion of pleuropneumonia, it might be completely extirpated in this 
way. If, however, the germs or bacteria may live and multiply out- 
side of the bovine bod}^, in the soil, water, or in some other animal, 
extirpation would be impossible. 

The virus may be transmitted from sick to healthy animals in a 
variety of ways, both direct and indirect. It is said to be present 
in the various excreta of the diseased, such as the discharges from 
the nose, and the saliva, the urine, and the manure. It retains its 
vitality outside of the body in a moist state for months, and the 
disease is reported to have developed after feeding hay a year after 
it had lain in an infected stable. Hence manure and the fodder and 
bedding soiled with discharges may convey the disease. Persons 
may carry the virus on their shoes, clothing, and implements. Even 
small animals, such as cats and rats, which frequent bams and stables 
have been looked upon as carriers of the virus. 

Cattle are very susceptible to the disease, and in its virulent type 
all those exposed are said to become infected. Buffaloes, sheep, and 
goats are likewise susceptible, but in a less degree. 

It is also claimed that animals after having passed through one 
attack are able to resist successfully future attacks. Inoculation 
with virus is said to produce immunity, but the process of inocula- 
tion itself is followed by death in many cases. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms of rinderpest are not very characteris- 
tic, and hence the diagnosis of a suspected case in the beginning of 
an invasion is attended with difficulties. Certain appearances which 
are characteristic of one epizootic may be absent in another. Dif- 
ferent observers are not quite agreed as to the most constant and 
important. 

The period of incubation, i. e., the time elapsing between the expo- 
sure to infection and the earliest outward symptoms, varies from 
three to nine days. Then the first sign is a very high fever tem- 
perature, which may reach 107° F. The heat of the skin varies in 
different parts of the body, and may be felt at the base of the ears 
and horns. Rej)eated chills are frequently observed. The pulse 
reaches 50 to 60 beats per minute, and may rise to 90 or 100 in very 
severe attacks. 



394 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

The animal manifests great debility. The head droops and rests 
on some object of support. One or both ears may droop. The coat 
is staring and the muzzle dry. The secretion of milk diminishes 
very rapidly. Within twelve to twenty hours the usual quantity may 
have become reduced one-half or two-thirds. The back is arched, 
and the four limbs are brought together under the body. 

As the disease progresses, symptoms with reference to the digestive 
and respiratory organs become prominent. The mucous membrane 
of the mouth and the nose, as well as that of the rectum and vagina, 
becomes reddened, either in patches or diffusely, and assumes a scarlet 
hue. The discharges, at first firm, become softer, and soon diarrhea 
sets in. This is said to be one of the most constant symptoms. The 
rectum may become everted and paralyzed, and the bowels move 
spontaneously. The discharges become fetid, viscid, and streaked 
with blood. Coughing is a common symptom, and by some con- 
sidered characteristic. It is associated with discharges from the nose 
and vagina and dribbling of saliva from the mouth. The eyes also 
are affected. There is an increased formation of a viscid secretion 
■which flows down the face. 

Another series of changes prominent in some epizootics and mild or 
absent in others are the ulcers, or so-called " erosions," in the mouth. 
These begin as red patches and streaks. The mucous membrane in 
such localities is converted into a grayish white slough, which, when 
shed, leaves a small erosion, or ulcer. At the same time similar 
changes may go on in the skin of the thighs, the udder, or the scrotum, 
and about the vagina, which lead to small sloughs. 

In severe cases, which are the most common in the susceptible cattle 
of western Europe, death ensues four to seven days after the first 
appearance of the disease, and is preceded by great emaciation and 
debility, fetid, purulent discharges from nose and mouth, and the 
relaxed rectum and vagina. 

After death, if the animal be opened and the organs carefully 
examined, the chief changes will be found in the digestive organs. 
The lining membrane of the mouth and pharynx is covered with 
mucus, is reddened in spots, and shows superficial yellowish gray, 
cheesy patches, which represent dead tissue and when removed ex- 
pose ulcerated depressions. The same reddening in spots and the 
yellowish gray, cheesy deposits or patches are found in the fourth 
stomach, the small intestines, and more rarely in the cecum, while 
the third stomach, or manyplies, is more or less impacted with dry, 
hard food. Similar changes may be found on the mucous membrane 
of the nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, the uterus, vagina, and rectum. 
The lungs may be injected, edematous, or pneumonic. The heart 
muscle is pale and flabby, and frequently hemorrhages are observed 
in its internal membrane. The liver may be pale or injected with 
blood, and at times shows hemorrhages beneath its capsule. The 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 395 

bile is thin and watery in consistence. The kidneys may be inflamed 
or contain small hemorrhages within their substance or under the 
capsule. The lymphatic glands may be swollen and injected or even 
hemorrhagic. 

Treatment. — On account of the danger of spreading the infection, 
neither medicinal treatment nor inoculation is permitted in European 
countries, with the exception of Russia, where the disease is more 
generally diffused. The most effective method of exterminating rin- 
derpest in those districts in which the disease is not indigenous has 
been found to be the slaughter of all affected and exposed animals. 
Wliere the disease is general, successful efforts adopted for its con- 
trol have followed the immunization by inoculation of the exposed 
animals and a strict application of appropriate sanitary measures. 
This protective inoculation has been practiced with very gratifying 
results in Russia, South Africa, and in the Philippine Islands. An 
active immunity is thus induced in susceptible animals which lasts 
until the danger from exposure to the disease is over. This immu- 
nity may be attained ( 1 ) by the inoculation of pure bile from an ani- 
mal which recently died of rinderpest, (2) by the inoculation of 
glycerinated bile, followed by pure bile or virulent blood, or (3) 
by the simultaneous inoculation of strong standardized serum and 
virulent blood. 

The latter method has been adopted by the United States Govern- 
ment in its endeavor to exterminate the disease in the Philippines, 
and to protect the cattle and carabaos against rinderpest after their 
importation into those islands. Owing to the existence of this and 
other infectious diseases in the Philippine Islands, an order has been 
issued by the Department of Agriculture prohibiting the landing of 
any live stock or animals of any kind from the Philippines at any of 
the ports of the United States or the dependencies thereof. This pro- 
hibition removes the greatest source of danger to which the United 
States is exposed as the result of its intercourse with the Philippine 
Islands. The introduction of rinderpest from those countries from 
which we import animals is rendered extremely improbable, espe- 
cially in live animals, owing to its short period of incubation and to 
the 90-day quarantine for cattle (counting from date of shipment) 
and 15-day (counting from date of landing) quarantine for sheep 
and other ruminants and swine which are at present enforced in the 
United States at all ports of entry. 

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. 

This disease is also known as epizootic aphtha, aphthous fever, in- 
fectious aphtha, eczema epizootica, and may be defined as an acute, 
highly contagious fever of a specific nature, characterized by the 
eruption of vesicles, or blisters, in the mouth, around the coronets of 
the feet, and between the toes. 



396 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The tremendous ravages of the disease are seen in the number and 
variety of species attacked. While it may be regarded as essentially 
a disease of cattle, hogs would seem to be as easy a prey. Almost in 
the same gi*ade of receptivity come sheep and goats. Next in order 
of liability come the buffalo, American bison, camel, deer, chamois, 
llama, giraffe, and antelope. Horses, dogs, cats, and even poultry 
have been victims of the infection, the last three classes being par- 
ticularly dangerous as carriers of the contagion. Man himself is not 
immune, and the frequency of his infection by coming in contact with 
the diseased animals themselves is established by numerous observa- 
tions. Children suffer as a result of drinking the unboiled milk from 
infected cattle. In such cases the symptoms resemble those observed 
in animals. There is fever and difficulty in swallowing, followed by 
an eruption of blisters in the mouth and very rarely by similar ones 
on the fingers. The disease is very seldom fatal, and chiefly restricted 
to children and to those adults who handle sick animals or drink large 
quantities of unboiled milk. Some veterinarians regard the human 
affection as by no means uncommon in countries where foot-and- 
mouth disease prevails, but that the disturbance of health is usually 
too slight to come to the notice of the family doctor. 

The disease prevails in European countries and occasions great 
losses. Although the actual mortality is quite low, serious losses 
result from the diminution of the milk secretion and consequent in- 
terference with the business of the dairy. There is likewise more or 
less loss of flesh in animals. 

Every appearance of foot-and-mouth disease upon American soil 
has been quickly followed by the total suppression of the disease, and 
it will therefore be necessary to go abroad for evidences of the devas- 
tation which always follows in the wake of an outbreak of this scourge 
and for estimates of the loss which it entails upon the farmers and 
stock owners in affected districts. 

According to the very accurate statistics collected by the German 
Empire, 431,235 head of cattle, 230,808 sheep and goats, and 153,808 
swine were affected with the disease in that country in 1890. The 
infection, quite insignificant in 1886, had been gradually spreading 
until it reached the enormous figures given above in 1890. During 
this same year it prevailed in France, Italy, Belgium, Austria-Hun- 
gary, Switzerland, Roumania, and Bulgaria. 

The losses from this disease in England in the year 1883 were esti- 
mated at $5,000,000. An English practitioner of wide experience 
states that it is none too high to place the loss upon each animal that 
becomes infected but that ultimately recovers at $20, when milch cows 
or feeding cattle that are nearly finished are under consideration. On 
store cattle and calves the loss is proportionally less. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTI^E. 397 

Estimating the losses upon the surviving animals from this basis 
and adding the value of those that die, it vt^ill be seen that an outbreak 
of this disease may quickly result in direct losses of many millions of 
dollars. In addition to this, a considerable spread of the contagion 
in this country would entail the entire loss of our export trade in live 
animals, interruptions of domestic commerce, and quarantines, which 
would surpass the loss caused by the ravages of the disease. 

Unlike most other infectious diseases, foot-and-mouth disease may 
attack the same animals repeatedly. The immunity or protection 
conferred is thus only of limited duration. Hence protective inoc- 
ulation with the virus, in whatever manner it may be practiced, 
is not only of no use, but decidedly dangerous, as it will introduce the 
disease. It is, however, not uncommon in European countries to 
practice inoculation after the disease has appeared in a herd in order 
to hasten its progress. This is highly recommended by some, since 
it not only hastens the infection, but the disease is apt to be milder 
and limited to the mouth. It consists in rubbing with the finger or a 
piece of cloth a little of the mucus from the mouth of a diseased ani- 
mal upon the inner surface of the upper lip of those to be inoculated. 
From 50 to 75 per cent of the inoculated animals take the disease. 

Cause. — As with other communicable diseases, the source and ori- 
gin of foot-and-mouth disease have given rise to much speculation. 
The disease had been known in Europe for centuries, but it was not 
until a comparatively recent date that the erroneous conceptions of 
its spontaneous origin as a result of climatic and meteorological con- 
ditions, exhausting journeys, etc., were abandoned. It is now con- 
ceded that foot-and-mouth disease is propagated by a specific virus 
and that every outbreak starts from some preexisting outbreak. 

The causative agent of this disease has not been isolated, although 
numerous attempts have been made to cultivate and stain it. Experi- 
ments have shown that the virus will pass through standard germ- 
proof filters, thus indicating its minute size and the reason it has not 
been detected by the staining methods. The contagion may be found 
in the serum of the vesicles on the mouth, feet, and udder; in the 
saliva, milk, and various secretions and excretions; also in the blood 
during the rise of temperature. 

A wide distribution of the virus and a rapid infection of a herd is 
the result. Animals may be infected directly, as by licking, and in 
calves by sucking, or indirectly by fomites, such as infected manure, 
hay, utensils, drinking troughs, railway cars, animal markets, barn- 
yards, and pastures. Human beings may carry the virus on their 
clothing and transmit it on their hands when milking, since the udder 
is occasionally the seat of the eruption. Milk in a raw state may also 
transmit the disease to animals fed with it. 



398 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The observations made by some veterinarians would lead us to sup- 
pose that the virus is quite readily destroyed. It is claimed that 
stables thoroughly cleaned become safe after drying for a short time. 
Hence litter of all kinds, such as manure or soiled hay and straw, 
may remain infective for a longer time because they do not dry out. 
Other authorities maintain that the virus is quite tenacious and may 
live in stables even so long as a year. They also state that animals 
which have passed through the disease may be a source of infection 
for several months after recovery. 

Symptoms. — In three to six days after the exposure of the ani- 
mal to the infection the disease makes its appearance. It is first 
indicated by the animal suffering from a chill, quickly followed 
by an invasion of fever, which may cause the temperature to rise as 
high as 106° F. Following this, in one or two days it will be noticed 
that small vesicles about the size of hemp seeds or peas are making 
their appearance upon the mucous membranes of the mouth at the 
border and upper surface of the tongue near the tip, the inside of the 
cheeks, on the gums and the inner surface of the lips, or on the mar- 
gin of the dental pad. These little blebs contain a yellowish watery 
fluid and gradually become more extensive as the disease advances. 
Soon after the eruptions have appeared in the mouth of the animal it 
will be noticed that there is considerable swelling, redness, and ten- 
derness manifest about the feet, at the coronet and between the digits 
of each foot. Eruptions similar to those within the mouth make their 
appearance upon these swollen regions of the foot a day or two later, 
and at this stage it is usual to find that like lesions have made their 
appearance upon the perineum of the victim. In the case of milch 
cows the udder and more particularly the teats show the same vesicu- 
lar eruption, but the latter as the result of milking soon become cov- 
ered with reddened spots deprived of the superficial layer of skin and 
may develop deep, obstinate fissures. 

As soon as the disease has become well established the patient 
evinces pain when attempting to eat ; in fact, the appetite is often so 
seriously affected that all food is refused and the animal uneasily 
opens and shuts its mouth with a characteristic smacking sound, 
while strings of cohesive, ropy saliva hang suspended from the lips. 
With the advance of the disease the vesicles have widened and ex- 
tended until they may reach a diameter ranging from that of a dime 
to that of a silver dollar. These rupture soon after their appearance, 
sometimes on the first day, more rarely on the second or third day. 
After they have ruptured the grayish white membrane forming the 
blister may remain attached for a day or more or disappear speedily 
and leave deeply reddened sensitive spots or erosions behind, both 
within the mouth and upon the coronet and between the claws of the 
feet. The same ulceration may be noticed in cases in which the teats 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 399 

of milch COWS have become affected, and instances are reported in 
which sloughing of the tegument immediately around the ulcer upon 
the udder has occurred. Owing to the tough, fibrous nature of the 
bovine skin, it is exceeding rare for sloughing to occur upon any part 
of the body other than those mentioned. 

The attack upon the feet of an animal is frequently manifested in 
all four feet at once, but one or more of the feet may entirely escape 
and remain unaffected throughout the course of the disease. As the 
feet become sensitive and sore the animal lies down persistently, and 
it has been found that bed sores develop with amazing rapidity in all 
such cases and wholly baffle all attempts at treatment until after the 
patient has regained its feet. 

The disease may attack some of the internal organs before it 
appears upon any of the external tissues. These cases are very liable 
to prove quickly fatal. The animal dies from paralysis of the heart 
due to the formation of poisonous principles within the system, or it 
may suffocate by reason of the action of these same poisons upon the 
tissues of the lungs, or it may choke to death as a result of paralysis 
of the throat. 

In cases of serious affection of the udder the erosions will often be 
found located within the passages of the teats, resulting in a " caked " 
udder, and the same toxic poisoning, which is the cause of death in 
the a,poplectiform types just mentioned, may arise from this source. 
In any event the milk from such cases will be found dangerous for 
use, causing fatal diarrhea in sucking calves or young pigs and 
serious illness in human consumers. The milk obtained from cows 
suffering with foot-and-mouth disease is not readily converted into 
either butter or cheese, but remains thick, slimy, and inert in spite of 
churning and attempts at curdling. The ulceration of the interdigital 
tissue may extend to the ligaments of the fetlock or produce disease 
of the joint or bone. Pregnant animals may abort. In pigs, sheep, 
and goats the lesions in the foot are most common, but both forms 
may be observed or only the mouth lesions. 

When the disease has become fully established it will be found that 
the duration of the attack will vary greatly with different animals. 
From 10 to 20 days are usually required for the recovery of the 
normal appetite and spirits in mild outbreaks, while the return to a 
full flow of milk, in the case of milch cows, is seldom witnessed before 
the arrival of the following season. 

In the malignant type of the disease it requires from three months 
to a year for an animal to recover. The mortality is not great, gen- 
erally about 1 to 3 per cent, but in severe outbreaks it may reach 5 
per cent. It is more fatal in young animals that have been fed on 
infected milk, and produces death in from 60 to 80 per cent of these 
cases as a result of gastro-enteritis. 



400 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

DiagThosis. — The recognition of this affection should not, as a rule, 
be clifRcnlt, especially when the disease is known to be in the vicinity ; 
in fact, the group of symptoms forms a clinical picture too decided 
to be doubted. The combination of high fever, vesicular inflamma- 
tion of the mouth, and hot, painful, swollen condition of the feet, 
followed in 24 to 48 hours by the appearance of numerous small 
vesicles varying in size from that of a pea to that of a hazelnut on 
the udder and feet and in the mouth should prevent any serious or 
long-continued eri'or in the diagnosis. However, in the inoculation 
of calves we have a certain and final t^st. In 24 to 72 hours after 
inoculation the calves present the characteristic vesicles. Svich in- 
oculation should be practiced, however, only by officials who are 
properly authorized to deal with contagious diseases. 

Differential diagnosis. — It can be asserted positively that no dis- 
ease of cattle closely simulates the symptoms of the eruption of aph- 
thous fever on the lining membrane of the mouth. Cowpox or horse- 
pox may be accidentally transmitted by inoculation. But the erup- 
tion in the " pox " goes on to the development of a pustule, while in 
foot-and-mouth disease the eruption is never more than a vesicle, 
even though the contained fluid may become turbid. 

The inoculation test in the case of cowpox does not respond with 
fever and eruption for at least 10 days, and often longer. 

In mycotic stomatitis or inflammation of the lining membrane of 
the mouth the entire buccal cavity is inflamed, and in a few days the 
croupous membrane forms, peels off, and exposes a raw, bleeding 
surface, while the thin skin between the toes may also be inflamed. 
The previous history of the case; the failure of the vesicles, if any 
appear, to spread extensively; the absence of vesicular eruptions on 
other portions of the bod3^ notably the udder and teats, and, charac- 
teristically, the hoof, together with the absence of infection in the 
herd and the complete negative character of inoculation of calves, 
distinguish between the local disease named and foot-and-mouth 
disease. 

The lesion resulting from ergotism may be differentiated from 
those of foot-and-mouth disease by the lack of eruptions in the mouth 
and by the location of the disease at the tips of the ears, end of the 
tail, or upon the lower part of the legs, usually below the knees or 
hocks. The lesion of ergotism does not take the form of pustules or 
blisters, but manifests itself first as a swelling about the ankle, which 
later may slough and circumscribe the limb, forming a deep crack 
extending entirely around the limb and forming a distinct line of 
demarcation between the healthy skin above and the diseased below. 
The absence of ulcerous sores on the coronet and between the claws, 
together with a healthy condition of the membranes of the mouth 
and the knowledge that the lesion upon the limb in question extends 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 401 

uninterruptedly around it, should point conclusively to a diagnosis of 
ergotism and to the exclusion of all fears of foot-and-mouth disease. 

In foul foot or ground itch of cattle the inflammation of the skin 
and toes is general and not in certain spots, as in foot-and-mouth 
disease; the mouth remains unaffected, and the presence of the disease 
may be traced to filth and poor drainage. 

The severer forms of the disease might be confounded with certain 
general diseases. Where gastro-intestinal symptoms predominate 
acute gastric catarrh or inflammation of the intestines might be 
thought of. Involvement of the lungs might lead to a diagnosis of 
acute congestion of the lungs, or pneumonia. The distinction is ap- 
parent in these diseases by the lack of vesicular eruption on the 
mucous membrane or skin, and also by lack of evidences of infection 
in the herd or neighboring animals. 

Prophylaxis. — The measures to be adopted to prevent the spread 
of the affection must take into consideration the highly infectious 
nature of the disease, its ease of dissemination, and the liability of 
the virus to live a saprophytic life for long periods. Great care 
should therefore be observed in keeping healthy animals unexposed 
to the contagion. When an outbreak occurs in a community the 
owner should make every effort to keep other animals from coming 
in contact with his diseased cattle. This especially applies to dogs, 
cats, goats, and poultry, which usually have access to the stables and 
barnyards and in this way furnish excellent means for disseminating 
the infectious principle. He should be equally particular in prohib- 
iting any person from coming onto his premises, especially an at- 
tendant or owner or other person in any way connected with cattle. 
Such a herd may be placed under quarantine, with an inspector ap- 
pointed to keep the prem.ises under constant surveillance. 

This method of quarantine alone, while very satisfactory in many 
instances, is rather tardy in obtaining the desired result. For this 
reason when the disease breaks out in a country like the United 
States, where the contagion is likely to spread rapidly by means of 
infected cars, manure, hay and other feed, and where the loss attend- 
ant upon its obtaining a firm foothold would result so disastrously, it 
seems that this method of temporizing is rather tedious, and more 
radical steps are required in order to suppress and eradicate com- 
pletely the infection in the quickest and most thorough manner pos- 
sible. 

. It would therefore appear better to concentrate the expense inci- 
dent to the extermination of foot-and-mouth disease by purchasing 
and slaughtering all affected and exposed cattle after judicious ap- 
praisement. The carcasses of these animals should be totally de- 
stroyed, preferably by cremation, or otherwise by burying them in a 
hole 6 feet deep and covering them with air-slaked lime. The infected 
16923°— 12 26 



402 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

stable should be disinfected by thoroughly cleaning it, scrubbing the 
floor with hot water, brushing down all loose dust from the walls, and 
tearing off all woodwork which is partly decayed. Then the whole 
interior of the stable should be covered with a good coat of limewash 
containing 1 part of a 40 per cent solution of formaldehyde (which is 
sold by the drug trade under the commercial name of formalin) to 30 
parts of the limewash, or 4 ounces of formalin to each gallon of lime- 
wash. Another efficient wash for this purpose may be prepared by 
adding 6 ounces of chlorid of lime to each gallon of limewash. All 
stable utensils should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by the 
application of a solution containing 4 ounces of formalin to a gallon 
of water, or 6 ounces of crude carbolic acid to each gallon of water. 
The manure should be burned or spread over ground (other than 
meadow land) that is to be turned under. No other cattle should be 
purchased for at least 30 days after the complete disinfection of the 
premises. 

The method of eradicating the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease 
in New England in 1902-3 and in Michigan, New York, Pennsyl- 
vania, and Maryland in 1908 consisted in the rigid quarantine of all 
infected premises and of the animals upon them, in slaughtering the 
diseased and exposed animals at the earliest practicable moment, and 
in thoroughly disinfecting the stables and the contents of the build- 
ings in which they had been sheltered. The progress of this work, 
the confinement of the disease to a few States, and its complete 
eradication in a comparatively short time demonstrate in a striking 
manner the efficacy of slaughtering and the futility of relying upon 
quarantine alone in stamping out the disease. 

Inoculation has been adopted in some countries in order to have 
the disease spread quickly through the herds, and while this practice 
has undoubted value where the disease is indigenous, it is not desir- 
able in this country and should not be adopted. 

Medicinal treatment. — In some mild attacks of foot-and-mouth dis- 
ease great benefit may be derived from a judicious attempt to relieve 
the symptoms and thus assist nature in overcoming the disease, but 
the great danger attached to the presence of an infectious disease in 
any noninfected locality for 12 to 20 days, while the disease is run- 
■ ning its course, must appeal to the sanitarian and prevent indis- 
criminate medicinal treatment. 

However, beneficial results have been obtained by the local applica- 
tion of disinfecting and astringent lotions. A teaspoonful of alum, 
chlorate of potash, boracic acid, or one-half teaspoonful of the tinc- 
ture of aloes and myrrh placed in the mouth has proved efficacious. 
The infected animals may be made to stand from 5 to 10 minutes 
in a shallow trough containing medicinal agents such as a l-to-1,000 
solution of bichlorid of mercury or a 3 per cent carbolic acid or creo- 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTL.E. 403 

lin solution. Where the teats and udder are affected the applicatioii 
of carbolized vaseline, camphor ointment, or bo rated glycerin has 
given excellent results. If the symptoms of heart weakness are 
manifest, give digitalis, camphor, or alcohol, while excessive fever 
may be reduced with phenacetin. 

The complications that may follow the disease are usually the result 
of contaminating bacteria, and it is therefore desirable to have the 
animals and their surroundings kept in as cleanly a condition as pos- 
sible. The cattle should be fed on soft meal or grain and given a 
plentiful supply of clean water. 

SEPTICEMIA AND PYEMIA. 

These two names are applied to diseased conditions which are so 
nearly alike in their symptoms that it is sometimes difficult to distin- 
guish the one from the other. Indeed, the name pyosepticemia, or 
septicopyemia, is often applied where it is impossible to make a dis- 
tinction between septicemia and pyemia or where each is equally 
responsible for the diseased condition. The name septicemia is 
derived from two Greek words meaning " poison " and " blood," and 
signifies that the germ lives in the blood, hence the use of the term 
" blood poisoning " for this disease. Pyemia is likewise derived from 
two Greek words, meaning " pus " and " blood," and is that form of 
septicemia caused by pus-producing organisms and characterized by 
secondary abscesses. 

Causes. — Neither of these diseases is brought about, strictly speak- 
ing, by any specific organism, hence neither can be looked upon as a 
specific disease. The organisms most frequently found in cases of 
septicemia are, on the whole, the same as those of pyemia, and may 
be either pus cocci, the bacillus coli, or other pus-producing organ- 
isms. These organisms are often found as secondary invaders in 
other diseases, such as advanced cases of tuberculosis, in which cases 
they are responsible for the formation of pus. 

Aside from the causative organism, or, in other words, the active 
cause, there are many secondary causes. The most important of these 
in pyemia is a break in continuity of the protective covering, as 
a wound, which affords an entrance into the tissues for the organisms. 
Among the different varieties of wounds may be mentioned cuts, 
bruises, punctures, burns, chemical or frozen wounds, and compound 
fractures of bones. Injuries received during parturition, stoppage 
of the milk ducts, and infection of the umbilicus in the newly born 
are also frequent causes of pyemia. Septicemia usually follows sur- 
gical wounds, local suppuration, enteritis, bronchitis — in fact, wher- 
ever there is a local lesion of any kind permitting germs to enter the 
blood. Septicemia was formerly applied to designate the condition 



404 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

in which the organisms were localized, but in which their toxins were 
diffused in the blood. Pyemia was made to represent that condition 
where the organisms were localized, but in which the pus was trans- 
ported by the blood. These terms now are applied to conditions in 
which both the organisms and their toxins, or the pus, are present 
in the blood. The term septicemia is indicated where intoxication 
is the more pronounced symptom and pyemia where pus formation 
and metastatic or "secondary abscess formation are observed. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms of both diseases include primarily a 
high fever (104° to 107° F.). Coupled with this there is disinclina- 
tion to move, the animal is depressed and not cognizant of its sur- 
roundings. The pulse is rapid, small, and feeble, respiration in- 
creased, mucous membrane injected, swollen, and of a yellowish tinge. 
Appetite is lost and death follows in the case of septicemia in fi'om 
two to four days. In pyemia the symptoms come on more slowly and 
are not so intense as in septicemia, while the course of the disease is 
longer, lasting from six days to four weeks. The mortality is not 
so great as in septicemia, but the period of convalescence is always 
long. 

Lesions. — Septicemia is characterized by the destructive changes in 
the blood, which is chocolate color, noncoagulable, and swarms with 
bacteria. The lining membranes of the heart are studded with red 
spots, often running together to form a large hemorrhagic area. The 
lungs, liver, and kidneys may also show these hemorrhages. The 
spleen is enlarged and full of black blood. The cadaver decomposes 
very rapidly and in some cases forms great quantities of fetid gas. 
In pyemia, in addition to these lesions, there are abscesses formed in 
the various organs throughout the body. If the disease develops 
slowly a post-mortem shows these abscesses to be the chief altera- 
tions. The pus content is usually greenish, stained with blood, and 
contains strings of fibrous tissue and necrosed matter. 

Treatment. — Treatment is almost futile in advanced cases of either 
disease. Septicemia is usually fatal and pyemia frequently so. Pre- 
vention and the immediate treatment of local infections are the 
surest means of combating these diseases. For local treatment of 
wounds the usual antiseptics are indicated, such as 5 per cent creolin, 
or carbolic acid, or one one-thousandth bichlorid of mercury solu- 
tion. For pyemia, where the abscesses are near the skin, open them 
and treat antiseptically by injecting any of the previously mentioned 
germicides. General and heart stimulants are indicated, such as a 
drench containing digitalis 2 drams and alcohol 2 ounces. Quinine 
and calomel in repeated small doses of one-half dram each three times 
a day are sometimes beneficial. Camphor in the form of oil of cam- 
phor (camphor dissolved in 10 parts of sweet oil) is a good stimulant 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 405 

and has some antiseptic properties, which make it a vahiable drug in 
combating these diseases when given in doses of 2 drams three times 
daily. 

HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA. 

Hemorrhagic septicemia is a name applied to a highly fatal, infec- 
tious disease existing in various species of domestic and wild animals, 
due to a microorganism ' having definite biological characters and 
possessing the properties of producing clearly defined and charac- 
teristic lesions. 

This causal agent, Bacterium hovisepticum^ belongs to the same 
group of cocco-bacilli as those causing chicken cholera, swine plague, 
and rabbit septicemia, and may be described as an ovoid, nonmotile, 
polar staining bacterium with rounded ends, ^^^-^7 of an inch wide by 
ish^Q of an inch long, sometimes seen in pairs and sometimes in 
chains. 

Various names have been applied to this disease, and though the 
causative agent and the distinctive lesions are well known, it is more 
than likely that the affection is seldom recognized. It was described 
by Bollinger in 1878, and named Wild und Rinderseuche, from its 
having affected deer, wild boars, cattle, and horses in an epizootic 
which swept over Germany at that time. However, before this sev- 
eral epizootics of what was evidently the same disease had been well 
described, notably that which occured in England in 1854. Since 
then it has occurred in epizootic and enzootic forms in many sections 
of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. In this counti-y the disease 
has been observed in Texas, Tennessee, New York, Minnesota, Penn- 
sylvania, District of Columbia, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Other 
names given to it are game and cattle disease, buffalo disease, bar- 
bone, pasteurellosis bovina, ghotwa, and infectious pneumoenteritis. 

In earlier times it was evidently confounded with gloss anthrax, 
and even now it is probably mistaken in a great many instances for 
anthrax, blackleg, cornstalk disease, and cerebro-spinal meningitis. 

The disease is essentially a septicemia, or blood poisoning, and the 
microbic invasion occurs from inoculation probably either through 
abrasions of the skin or by injury to the mucous membranes from 
coarse fodder, etc. Moore and Smith have found bacteria belonging 
to this group in the mouths and nasal cavities of healthy animals, 
including cattle; but these organisms proved to be nonpathogenic. 
As is well known, however, many pathogenic germs at times exist in 
a saprophytic state, and it is not hard to conceive how a microbe may 
cease such existence and assume parasitic or pathogenic properties 
when the surroundings are eminently favorable. This may be a con- 
necting link in the etiology of sporadic outbreaks of the disease where 



406 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

every other hypothesis as to its genesis seems untenable. The disease 
seems to occur most frequently in swampy or mucky localities or in 
pastures receiving the overflow from infected fields. It is said to 
occur usually in the spring of the year, when the melting snows and 
rains bring to the surface the subterranean waters from rich soils 
containing nitrogenous materials in which the bacteria have been 
existing. In a great many instances there does not seem to be any 
plausible explanation for an outbreak of the disease and one can only 
surmise as to its origin. 

Sympioms. — Three forms of the disease are recognized, based upon 
the distribution of the lesions — the superficial, or cutaneous, the pec- 
toral, or thoracic, and the intestinal form. The latter is a usual 
accompaniment of the other two and may be mild or severe. Natu- 
rally the symptoms vary according to the violence of the attack and 
to the particular form of disease with which the animal is affected. 
In the superficial, or cutaneous, form the presence of a swollen tongue, 
throat, and dewlap, or even of the lower portion of the legs, gives us 
a clew to the trouble. An entire loss of appetite occurs, and in milch 
cows there is a diminution of the milk secretion. The temperature 
may be only slightly elevated, but it is usually very high. Salivation 
is set up due to the inflammation of the mouth and pharynx. Unsuc- 
cessful efforts at eating and swallowing are made. There may be 
difficulty in breathing, depending on the amount of involvement of 
the larynx, trachea, bronchi, or lungs. There may be a blood-stained 
discharge from the nostrils, and the mucous membrane of the same 
will often show punctiform hemorrhages. The pulmonary form 
shows the same symptoms as croupous pneumonia, with a frequent 
suffocative cough and oppressed breathing, or dyspnea. Wlien the 
intestines are involved the patient strains to defecate, and passes 
shreds of intestinal mucus along with blood-stained feces. The urine 
may also be tinged with blood. Finally a severe diarrhea takes place, 
the animal becomes correspondingly weak, and death takes place in 
24 to 36 hours. Cases may die in as short a period as six to eight 
hours, while in the pectoral form of the disease the animal may 
linger six or eight days. Cases have been reported which became 
chronic and in which death did not take place for a month or more. 
In some of the cases running an acute course, symptoms of toxemia 
are present ; there is a lack of sensation of the skin, staggering gait, 
trembling, eyes fixed, neck at times bent to one side, and the eyes 
showing a wild expression. At times the animals appear as if in 
pain and look around at the flanks. In the pectoral form they may 
stand with the fore legs wide apart in evident effort to breathe more 
freely. Sometimes there is a champing of the jaws and a very free 
flow of glairy saliva dropping from the mouth. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 407 

The prognosis is decidedly unfavorable and 80 to 90 per cent of 
the cases result fatally. 

Lesions. — The characteristic lesions of hemorrhagic septicemia con- 
sist of hemorrhagic areas in the subcutaneous, subserous, and muscu- 
lar tissues, the lymph glands, and the viscera; in fact, they are 
distributed more or less widely throughout the body and vary in size 
from a mere speck to the diameter of a half dollar or even larger. 
The superficial form presents itself first as a doughy tumefaction of 
the skin about the region of the throat, neck, dewlap, or legs, which 
pits on pressure. This tumefaction consists essentially of a cero- 
gelatinous exudate into the subcutaneous and intermuscular tissues. 

Bloody extravasations may take place in subcutaneous tisues in 
various localities, but they are usually seen about the lower portion 
of the neck. The mucous membranes and submucous tissues of the 
mouth, tongue, pharynx, and larynx become involved in the process 
and are greatly thickened, inflamed, and infiltrated with serum. The 
mucous membrane becomes reddish purple, and that of the nostrils 
may in addition show hemorrhagic spots on its surface. The lym- 
phatic glands in this region are also swollen and infiltrated with 
bloody seinim. The salivary glands are pale and dry. The pectoral 
type, though at times existing alone, may coexist with the cutaneous 
form. The inflammatory edema of the mouth extends to the mucous 
membrane of the trachea and bronchi, producing an extensive thick- 
ening and a yellowish infiltration. The lung shows interstitial thick- 
ening, due to the outpouring of sermn into its meshes. It may be- 
come pneumonic. 

The diaphragm, heart sac, and heart walls show numerous hemor- 
rhagic points and larger bloody extravasations. Sometimes there is 
a serous pleurisy, with more or less fibrinous exudate. In the intes- 
tinal form the submucous and subperitoneal tissues show alterations 
from a few hemorrhagic spots to large bloody suffusions, or even 
gelatinous infiltrations. This latter is seen about the region of the 
pancreas and in the folds of the mesentery. There is a severe hemor- 
rhagic inflammation of the intestines and a staining of the intestinal 
contents with blood. The muscular system throughout shows hemor- 
rhagic areas. The abdominal viscera, liver, spleen, and kidneys often 
present hemorrhagic lesions. 

Differential diagnosis. — Anthrax, which presents superficial swell- 
ings, like hemorrhagic septicemia, may be distinguished from that 
affection on post-mortem examination by the enlargement and en- 
gorgement of the spleen, the contents of which are soft and tarry. 
The blood of anthrax animals is very dark, and does not become light 
red on exposure to air, nor does it coagulate, while in hemorrhagic 
septicemia the blood is normal in appearance and coagulates. The 
detection of the anthrax bacillus in the blood would be final. 



408 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

In blackleg the animals affected are usually under 2 years of age. 
The swellings are quite evident, and usually occur on the legs, above 
the knees or hocks, and are distended with gas, which crackles, or 
crepitates, when pressed upon. If one of these tumors be opened, 
a bloody serum will exude, and the contained gas gives off the odor 
of rancid butter. The internal hemorrhages are not general, al- 
though they may occur. A microscopic examination of the juices 
from the tumefaction will show the blackleg bacillus. 

In cerebro-spinal meningitis the causative agent is unknown, but 
probably exists in the food. It may occur in any locality and at any 
season of the year. There are no local swellings, and cattle are not 
frequently affected. 

Cornstalk disease may be differentiated from this affection from 
the fact that it always occurs after the cattle are turned into a corn- 
stalk field, by its sudden onset, the absence of any characteristic 
symptoms or post-mortem lesions, and the failure to find the causative 
agent in the blood. 

In making a post-mortem examination of animals affected with 
hemorrhagic septicemia, it would be well to examine the articular 
surfaces of the long bones, as it has been reported that they are fre- 
quently ulcerated. This should apply especially to those cases that 
have shown lameness. 

TreatTTient. — Treatment is absolutely useless, so far as we know at 
present, and for all practical purposes prophylaxis alone should be 
relied upon. The same sanitary precautions, such as isolation, dis- 
infection, and burial or burning of all dead carcasses, should be 
observed as for anthrax and other highly infectious diseases. Sepa- 
rate the apparently well animals from the sick by placing them in a 
separate, noninfected lot. Leave them here for a few days, and if 
any new cases develop change the well ones again. Thoroughly dis- 
infect all the premises, barns, stalls, litter, and stable utensils. 

VESICULAR ERTJPnON OF THE GENITAL ORGANS. 

This contagious disease is called coital exanthema or vesicular 
exanthema, and is more or less prevalent on the Continent. It has 
also been observed in the breeding districts of the United States. It 
is the subject of legislation in Germany, and governmental statistics 
are published annually concerning its distribution in the Empire. 
According to the reports from Hungary, 492 head of cattle were 
attacked during 1898, 587 in 1899, and 207 in 1900. 

A similar or perhaps identical disease of horses has the same dis- 
tribution and is transmissible from horses to cattle and vice versa. 

The disease may be defined as a highly contagious eruption situated 
upon the external genital organs of both sexes and accompanied with 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 409 

little or no general disturbance of health. The contagion, the nature 
of which remains still unknown, is transmitted mainly during copula- 
tion. The bull may have the disease and convey it to all the cows 
with which he comes in contact; or he may become infected by one 
cow, and, although not showing the disease, he may transmit it for 
several days after to all other cows during copulation. Simple 
contact between one cow and another may convey the disease, or the 
sponges used in cleaning the diseased may carry the virus to the 
healthy. It has also been conveyed to healthy cows by these animals 
lying with their hind quarters against infected wooden troughs. 

SyTTiptoms. — The period elapsing between the infection and the 
appearance of symptoms is somewhat variable. It is usually given 
as three to six days. It may be briefer or much longer. In cows 
the mucous membrane of the vagina and the vulva become swollen, 
inflamed, veiy tender, and covered with dark-red spots. The secre- 
tion is very abundant and consists at first largely of serum and mucus 
resembling the white of an egg. Small vesicles then appear, which 
rapidly burst and are converted into excoriations or deeper ulcera- 
tions. The secretion becomes more purulent and is apt to dry in 
crusts about the root of the tail. The eruption is accompanied with 
much itching and difficulty in urinating. The walk may be stiff and 
awkward. In bulls the eruption is situated on the prepuce and the 
end of the penis, and consists of pimples, vesicles, and ulcers, as in 
cows. It is accompanied by a little purulent discharge from the 
prepuce, itching, and difficulty in urinating. In severe cases the 
inflammation and swelling may extend backward to the scrotum and 
forward upon the abdomen. 

The disease lasts from one to four weeks and always terminates in 
recovery. The acute stage lasts only four or five days, while the 
complete healing of the inflammation is slow. The eruption is usu- 
ally accompanied by very little general disturbance. If the pain and 
irritation are severe, there may be some slight loss of appetite and 
diminished milk secretion in cows. The disease rarely causes abor- 
tion. Chronic catarrh of the vagina and permanent sterility fre- 
quently follow, as sequelae. 

Treatment need not be resorted to excepting in severe cases. The 
secretion and exudation should be washed off and a mild antiseptic 
applied, such as a 1 per cent solution of carbolic acid (1 ounce to 
3 quarts of water) or 2 per cent solution of lysol or creolin in water. 
Care must be taken not to carry the disease from the sick to the well 
by sponges, etc., which have come in contact with the affected organs. 
These should be destroyed. To prevent the spread of the disease the 
infected animals should be kept isolated until they have recovered. 



410 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

RABIES OF CATTLE. 

Rabies is a disease preeminently affecting the canine race, although 
all warm-blooded animals, including man, are susceptible to the mal- 
ady, which is always communicated through bites from a preceding 
case. It has required many years of patient scientific research to 
lead the ablest investigators to a clear comprehension of the cause, 
nature, and characteristics of this affection. It was known and 
described several centuries prior to the beginning of the Christian 
era, and from the earliest dawn of history the disease has been feared 
and dreaded. Its terrible manifestations have always been sur- 
rounded with an atmosphere of awe and mystery, and it is not sur- 
prising that myths, fallacies, and misconceptions in regard to it have 
be©n common and widely accepted. As the investigations by which 
we have come to a tolerably clear understanding of the facts concern- 
ing rabies have been comparatively recent, and have appeared for 
the most part in scientific periodicals, fallacies in regard to the dis- 
ease continue to have a strong hold upon the public mind. For in- 
stance, it is still a widely prevalent belief that if persons or animals 
are bitten by a dog they are liable to become rabid if the dog should 
contract the disease at any future time. There is no foundation for 
this impression, and it would be a great comfort to many people 
who are now and then bitten by animals if the fallacy of this idea 
were appreciated. All experience, both scientific and practical, goes 
to show that rabies is transmitted only by animals that are actually 
diseased at the time the bite is inflicted. Rabies is an infectious 
disease involving the nervous system and characterized by extreme 
excitability and other nervous disorders and always terminating in 
death. The contagion of this disease has never been isolated, but the 
fact that it is caused by a specific organism principally found in the 
nervous system is indisputable. For instance, if an emulsion of the 
brain of a rabid animal is filtered through a germ-proof filter, the 
filtrate will be harmless. This fact indicates that the infectious 
principle is not in solution, but is an organism withheld from the 
filtrate by the filter. This contagion can be propagated only in the 
body of an animal. It is transmitted naturally fi'om one animal to 
another solely by bites, and the old idea of spontaneous appearance of 
the disease is absolutely fallacious. It may be produced artificially 
by inoculating susceptible animals with an emulsion of the brain or 
spinal cord, as well as the saliva, milk, and other secretions of the 
affected animal. The blood, on the contrary, seems to be free from 
the infectious principle. The saliva contains the virus, which, un- 
der natural conditions, is introduced into or under the skin on the 
tooth of the rabid animal. The disease is widespread, being found 
in many countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in certain sec- 
tions of the United States. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 411 

Owing to the rigid quarantine regulations enforced against dogs 
imported into Australia, that country remains absolutely free from 
the disease. Following the canine race, cattle seem to be the most 
frequently affected, probably because rabid dogs, next to their morbid 
desire to attack other members of their own race, have a better 
opportunity to bite grazing cattle than any other species of animal. 
The relative frequency of rabies in these two species of animals is 
indicated by the carefully compiled statistics of the German Empire, 
which show that 904 dogs and 223 cows died of rabies in 1898, while 
in 1899 there were 911 cases in dogs and 171 in cattle. The latter 
receive bites most frequently on the hind legs and in the hips and 
about the lower jaw. These places are most accessible to dogs, owing 
to the habit of cattle to drive their tormentors away by lowering 
their heads and using their horns. Every animal bitten does not 
necessarily develop the disease, but the percentage of fatalities has 
been variously estimated and averages from 25 to 30 per cent of the 
bitten cattle. This, however, depends on the location and size of the 
wound, as well as the amount of hemorrhage produced, and various 
other conditions. In general, the nearer the bite is located to the 
central nervous system and the deeper the wound inflicted, the greater 
the danger of a fatal result. In cases where the hemorrhage result- 
ing from the bite is profuse there is a possibility that the virus will 
be washed out of the wound and thus obviate the danger of subse- 
quent appearance of the disease. 

The virus after being deposited in the wound remains latent for an 
extremely variable period of time, which also depends on the size and 
depth of the wound as well as its location and the amount of the 
virulent saliva introduced. Experiments have proved that the virus 
follows the course of the nerves to the spinal cord and along the lat- 
ter to the brain before the symptoms appear. Gerlach having col- 
lected the statistics from 133 cases has found this time, known as the 
period of incubation, to vary from 14 to 285 days. The great major- 
ity of cases, however, contract the disease in one to three months after 
the bite has been inflicted. 

Byiivptoms. — As in dogs, both furious and dumb rabies are met 
with, the former being more common in cattle. However, a sharp 
line of distinction can not be drawn between these two forms of the 
disease, as the furious form usually merges into the dumb, due to the 
paralysis which always appears prior to death. The typical cases of 
dumb rabies are those wiiere the paralysis appears at the beginning of 
the attack and remains until the death of the animal. The disease 
first manifests itself by a loss of appetite and rumination and stop- 
ping of the secretion of milk, great restlessness, anxiety, manifesta- 
tion of fear, and change in the disposition of the animal. This 
preliminary stage is followed in a day or two by the stage of excita- 



412 DISEASES OF CATTXiE. 

tion, or madness, which is indicated by increasing restlessness, loud 
roaring at times with a peculiar change in the sound of the voice, 
violent butting with the horns and pawing the ground with the 
feet, with an insane tendency to attack other animals, although the 
desire to bite is not so marked in cattle as in the canine race. A con- 
stant symptom is the increased secretion of saliva with a consequent 
frothing at the mouth, or the secretion may hang from the lips in long 
strings. Constipation is marked, and there is manifested a continual, 
although unsuccessful, desire to defecate. Spasms of the muscles in 
different parts of the body are also seen at intervals. About the 
fourth day the animal usually becomes quieter and the walk is stiff, 
unsteady, and swaying, showing that the final paralysis is coming 
on. This is called the paralytic stage. The loss of flesh is extremely 
rapid, and even during the short course of the disease the animal 
becomes exceedingly emaciated. The temperature is never elevated, 
it usually remaining about normal or even subnormal. Finally, 
there is complete paralysis of the hind quarters, the animal being 
unable to rise and but for irregular convulsive movements lies in a 
comatose condition and dies usually from the fourth to the sixth day 
after the appearance of the first symptom. 

Anatomy.- — If animals which have succumbed to rabies be exam- 
ined post-mortem, very slight evidence of disease will be found in 
any of the organs, and, indeed, the absence of any specific lesions may 
be considered as characteristic. The blood is dark and imperfectly 
coagulated. The throat is frequently reddened, and there may be 
small spots of extravasated blood in the intestines. The stomachs 
are usually empty. In the spleen there may be hemorrhagic enlarge- 
ments (infarcts). The cadavers rapidly undergo decomposition. 

Diffe7'&titial diagnosis. — It is not an easy matter to decide definitely 
that a given animal has rabies, since the symptoms given above be- 
long in part to a variety of other diseases, among which may be men- 
tioned the excitement seen in young animals following close confine- 
ment, certain vegetable and mineral poisons, acute enteritis, and 
alterations of the central nervous system in cattle, the most common 
of which is tuberculosis of the brain and its covering membranes. 
However, the post-mortem lesions should assist in making a correct 
diagnosis. Tetanus may readily be differentiated from rabies by the 
persistence of muscular cramps, especially of the face and abdomen, 
which cause these muscles to become set and as hard as wood. In 
tetanus there is also an absence of a depraved appetite or of a willful 
propensity to hurt other animals or to damage the surroundings. 
The cow remains quiet and the general muscular contraction gives 
the animal a rigid appearance. There is an absence of paralysis 
which marks the advanced stage of rabies. The dumb form of rabies 
in dogs is characterized by the paralysis and pendency of the lower 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 413 

jaw, while in tetanus the jaws are locked. This locking of the jaws 
in cattle renders the animal incapable of bellowing as in rabies. 
Finally, tetanus may be distinguished from rabies by the fact that 
the central nervous system does not contain the infectious principle, 
Avhile in rabies the inoculation of test rabbits with the brain or cord 
of a rabid animal will produce the disease with characteristic symp- 
toms after an interval of 15 to 20 days. This period of incubation 
is much longer than in tetanus, since the inoculation of rabbits with 
tetanus cultures invariably results in death after a short period and 
usually within three days. The positive evidence that a rabid dog 
has been near cattle would greatly assist in making a decision in 
doubtful cases. 

The disease in dogs is pretty well recognized by most people, but in 
case a suspected dog is killed it is desirable to open the animal and 
examine the contents of the stomach. While food is absent, a variety 
of odd things may be present which the abnormally changed appetite 
of the rabid dog has induced it to swallow. Among such things may 
be straws, sticks, glass, rags, earth, pieces of leather, and whatever 
the animal may have encountered small enough to be swallowed. 
This miscellaneous collection in the stomach of dogs, together with 
absence of food, is regarded by authorities as a very valuable sign, 
and may be made use of by laymen in case of doubt. In important 
cases, however, the head of the dog, cow, or other suspected animal 
should be removed and sent to the nearest biological laboratory, 
where a positive diagnosis can be made within 36 hours by the histo- 
logical examination of the plexiform nerve ganglia, and within two 
or three weeks by the intracerebral inoculation of rabbits with an 
emulsion of the brain of the suspected animal. 

Treatment. — This is useless after the first appearance of symptoms. 
When, however, a wound inflicted by a rabid animal can be discov- 
ered, it should be immediately cauterized or even completely extir- 
pated, care being taken to cut entirely around the wound in the 
iiealthy tissues. For cauterizing the wound, fuming nitric acid, the 
hot iron, and 10 per cent solution of zinc chlorid are the most effica- 
cious. To afford an absolute protection, this should be done within a 
few moments after the bite has been inflicted, although even as late 
as a few hours it has been known to thwart the development of the 
disease. 

Pasteur has originated and perfected a system of preventive inocu- 
lation against this disease which has greatly reduced the mortality in 
human subjects. Its application to animals, however, is more diffi- 
cult, requiring considerable time and expense, and is therefore only 
economically applicable in cases where very valuable animals are bit- 
ten by dogs known to be mad. Sanitary regulations which seek to 
control effectively the disease by exterminating it among dogs are 



414 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

most likely to prove successful. The measures which are adopted to 
this end can not be discussed in this place, but it is a striking fact 
that where the muzzling of all dogs has been rigidly enforced, as in 
England and in certain German districts, the disease has been prac- 
tically stamped out. 

TUBERCULOSIS. 
(Plates XXIX, fig. 6; XXXIV to XL, Inclusive.) 

Tuberculosis is an infectious and communicable disease charac- 
terized by the formation in various organs of the body of minute 
nodules or tubercles, which contain the Bacillus tuberculosis, the 
cause of the disease. 

The disease, in its various manifestations, has been known for many 
centuries, and legislative enactments having reference to the destruc- 
tion of affected animals and forbidding the use of the flesh date far 
back into the middle ages. The opinions entertained regarding the 
nature and the cause of the malady varied much, in different periods 
and very markedly influenced the laws and regulations in vogue. 
Thus, in the sixteenth century, the disease was considered identical 
with syphilis in man. In consequence of this belief very stringent 
laws were enacted, which made the destruction of tuberculous cattle 
compulsory. In the eighteenth century this erroneous conception 
of the nature of the disease was abandoned and all restrictions against 
the use of meat were removed. Since that time, however, the com- 
municable nature of this disease has been established by many inves- 
tigators, and the tide of opinion has again turned in favor of repress- 
ing the disease and prohibiting the sale of contaminated products. 

Occurrence. — The statistics concerning tuberculosis show that it is 
a disease prevalent in all civilized countries. In some countries, such 
as the northern part of Norway and Sweden, on the steppes of eastern 
Europe and Russia, in Sicily and Iceland, and in Algiers, it is said 
to be quite rare. 

The returns from testing British cattle with tuberculin, supplied by 
the Royal Veterinary College, as stated in March, 1900, showed that 
among 15,392 animals tested 4,105, or 26 per cent, reacted. 

During the slaughter of cattle for pleuropneumonia careful exami- 
nations of the carcasses were made for tuberculosis. Of 300 head 
killed near Edinburgh 120, or 40 per cent, were tuberculous. Of 
4,160 killed in England 20 per cent were tuberculous. Of one of 
these lots of cattle (451 animals) the president of the Lancashire 
Farmers' Association testified that they were fairly representative 
cattle — cows, heifers, and growing stock — a thorouglily mixed lot; 
20 per cent of these animals had tuberculosis. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 415 

Of 398 bovine animals taken haphazard in the city of Manchester, 
120, or 30 per cent, were tuberculous. Among these animals were 1G8 
cows, 69, or 41 per cent, being tuberculous, and 2 having diseased 
udders. 

The result of testing the Queen's herd at Windsor was that 36 out 
of 40, or 90 per cent, were found tuberculous. 

The investigations made by the British Dairy Farmers' Association 
deserve particular attention, coming as they do directly from a cattle 
owners' organization. The council of this association " resolved to 
submit the general consideration of the question to a committee with 
a view to some more definite understanding as to the possible extent 
to which tuberculosis exists in dairy cattle." The secretary was 
instructed to write to a number of dairy farmers being members of 
the association, asking their cooperation and the use of their herds 
for the application of the tests. Of the herds offered, 9 were selected, 
containing 461 cows and 12 bulls, and 188 of these animals reacted, 
being 40.8 per cent. There were among these cattle 335 Shorthorns, 
of which 119, or 35 per cent, reacted ; 67 crossbreds, of which 28, or 
42 per cent, reacted ; 47 Ayrshires, of which 37, or 80 per cent, reacted. 

Another experiment of much interest is that of the Cheshire 
County council. The technical instruction committee set aside £250 
to be used by a joint committee from the agricultural and horticul- 
tural schools and Worleson Dairy Institute for applying the tuber- 
culin test to their herds. The tests were made February 15, 1899. 
The results were : Worleson herd of 54 animals, 16 diseased, or 29.6 
per cent; agricultural school herd of 17 animals, 4 diseased, or 23.5 
per cent. The Worleson herd consisted of Shorthorn cows. In each 
herd the purebred Shorthorn bull was tuberculous. The results of 
the tuberculin test were confirmed by the slaughter of the animals 
and examination of the carcasses. 

Sir T. D. G. Carmichael, member of Parliament for Midlothian, 
gave evidence before the royal commission that his Polled Angus 
herd was tested in the spring of 1895. " The results of the test were 
fearfully unexpected and alarming." Of 30 tested 13 showed decided 
reaction — 43 per cent. Again, he speaks of having 41 animals tested 
the same spring and 16 reacted — 39.5 per cent. 

Of 80 Shorthorn cattle intended for export which were tested, 34 
reacted, or 42 per cent. 

Of a herd of 25 British Shorthorns recently tested in quarantine, 40 
per cent were found tuberculous. 

The addition of these animals above referred to gives 20,930 head 
examined and 5,441, or 26 per cent, pronounced tuberculous. And 
these herds were not selected because they were supposed to be tuber- 
culous, but represent the general cattle stock of the country. These 



416 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

animals included at least 470 head of Shorthorns, of which 170, or 34 
per cent, were tuberculous. 

To these facts may be added the evidence of Prof. Bang that 
tuberculosis was brought to Denmark in the first half of the nine- 
teenth century by cattle from Switzerland, Schleswig, and England, 
and that the same thing is now going on in Sweden and Norway, 
particularly through English cattle. Also the evidence of M. Sivori, 
chief of section at the ministry of agriculture, Agrentina, who has 
investigated tuberculosis in that country, and who says that " 30 or 
40 years ago tuberculosis was unknown in Argentine cattle, and it is 
still unknown among the native (criollo) cattle. Its appearance 
dates from the introduction of pure breeding animals. Statistics 
prove that tuberculosis is observed among the grades — above all 
among those of the Durham and less among the Hereford." 

Moreover, the reports of the royal commission of Victoria, Aus- 
tralia, and of the New Zealand department of agriculture, show a 
large proportion of tuberculous cattle in those colonies, where the 
disease was almost certainly carried by British cattle. 

In the same manner that tuberculosis has been carried from Great 
Britain to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Argentina, and Australia, it 
has also been taken to Canada. In one herd of imported cattle 
slaughtered in the Canadian quarantine station, 13 of the 14 animals 
were found tuberculous. One of the largest Shorthorn herds in 
Canada was some time ago tested because an animal from it was 
condemned when offered for shipment to the United States. This 
herd was found to be very badly affected, and an effort is being made 
to eradicate the disease by the Bang method. A Canadian official 
publication says of another Shorthorn herd, which at one time had a 
very high reputation, that when an investigation in regard to tuber- 
culosis was recently made the disease was found among ordinary 
cattle wherever animals from this herd had been introduced, and that 
this herd, which had been looked upon as one of the greatest benefits 
to the farming community, was really a danger, because it dissemi- 
nated tuberculosis among the farmers' herds. Still another well- 
known herd recently attracted attention because four animals from 
it offered for export to the United States were all tuberculous. 

From December 23, 1900, to February 19, 1901, the period that the 
department inspector tested all Canadian cattle intended for ship- 
ment to the United States, 140 purebred Shorthorns and 3 Shorthorn 
grades were tested, and of the total number 26, or 18 per cent, 
reacted. During the first month that this inspection was enforced, 
and when it may be assumed that the condition of the cattle most 
nearly represented what it had previously been, 74 cattle Avere offered 
for importation, and 18, or 24.3 per cent, were found tuberculous. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



417 



In justice to Shorthorn cattle it should be said in this connection 
that they are probably no more susceptible to tuberculosis than are 
other breeds, but the disease has been allowed to spread in certain 
herds and families to such an extent as to give a wrong impression 
concerning the breed as a whole. 

The slaughterhouse statistics of Prussia show 14.6 per cent of the 
cattle and 2.14 per cent of the hogs to be tuberculous. In Saxony 
the percentage is 29.13 with cattle and 3.10 with hogs. In the city 
of Leipzig the figures are 36.4 for cattle and 2.17 for hogs. (Siedam- 
grotzky.) Of 20,850 animals in Belgium tested with tuberculin in 
1896, 48.88 per cent reacted. (Stubbe.) Of 25,439 tested in Den- 
mark from 1893 to 1895, 49.3 per cent reacted ; and of 67,263 tested 
from 1896 to 1898, 32.8 per cent reacted. (Bang.) 

Figures available in the United States do not cover a sufficient area 
of our territory to allow us to make a reliable estimate of the extent 
of tuberculosis with milch cows. There is little doubt, however, but 
that the disease has been increasing both with dairy cattle and hogs. 
From a review by Russell and Hastings, of the Wisconsin Agricul- 
tural Experiment Station, of tests of cattle for tuberculosis which 
have been made in the United States, the following summary is 
presented : 



statistics of tests for tuherculosis in the United States. 



state. 



Vermont 

Massachusetts 

Massachusetts, entire herds. 

Connecticut 

New York, 1894 

New York, 1897-98 

Pennsylvania 

New Jersey 

Illinois, 1897-98 

Iliinois, 1899 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Iowa 



Wisconsin: 

Experiment Station tests — 

Suspected herds , 

Nonsuspected herds 

State veterinarian's tests- 
Suspected herds 

Tests of local veterinarians imder State veterinarian, cattle in- 
tended for shipment to States requiring tubureulin certificate. 



Number 
tested. 



60,000 
24,685 

4,093 

6,300 
947 

1,200 
34,000 

2,500 
929 

3,655 



3,430 
873 



323 
935 



588 
3,421 



Number 
tubercu- 
lous. 



2,390 

12,443 

1,080 



66 

163 

4,800 



560 



122 



116 
84 



191 
76 



Per cent 
tubercu- 
lous. 



3.9 
50.0 
26.4 
14.2 

6.9 
18.4 
14.1 
21.4 
12.0 
15.32 
13.0 
11.1 
13.8 



35.6 
9.0 



32.5 
2.2 



16923°— IS 



418 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Reports of tuberculin tests made on 400,000 cattle in the United 
States during the years 1893 to 1908 by Federal, State, and other 
officers with tuberculin prepared by the Bureau of Animal Industry 
show 37,008 reactions, or 9.25 per cent. These were mostly dairy 
cattle, and in some cases herds were suspected of being diseased. 

All cattle in the District of Columbia, numbering 1,701, were tested 
with tuberculin in 1909-10, and 18.87 per cent reacted. In 1909-11, 
herds in Maryland and Virginia supplying milk to the District of 
Columbia were tested, with 19.03 and 15.38 per cent of reactions, 
respectively, among 4,501 cattle. 

The beef cattle of the United States show a much smaller propor- 
tion of the disease than dairy cattle, though the percentage of cattle 
found tuberculous in the Government meat-inspection service has 
increased considerably in recent years. This increase is due partly, 
but not wholly, to more stringent inspection. Of 7,781,030 adult 
cattle slaughtered under Federal inspection during the fiscal year end- 
ing June 30, 1911, 76,448 were found tuberculous, a percentage of 0.98. 

It has been observed that tuberculosis increases in frequency with 
the age of the animals. If we take the number of cases of animals of 
a year and under affected with tuberculosis as the unit of comparison, 
animals from 1 to 3 years old furnish 10 times, those 3 to 6 years old 
30 times, and those over 6 years 40 times the number of cases. 

From the statistics above referred to and other data, it appears 
that in the more densely populated areas of Europe and America 
from 5 to 50 per cent of the dairy cattle are more or less affected with 
tuberculosis, while the proportion of beef cattle affected is distinctly 
less, ranging from 0.14 to 30 per cent. This difference is due to a 
number of causes. Beef cattle average younger when slaughtered. 
They are not so frequently stabled, and are for that reason less liable 
to infection, and, as the males constitute a large proportion of this 
class of animals, the effect of milk secretion in lowering the vital 
forces is not so apparent. 

Cduse and nature of the disease. — The cause of tuberculosis is the 
tubercle bacillus, which gains entrance to the body, lodges somewhere 
in the tissues, and begins to grow and multiply at that point. As this 
bacillus vegetates and increases in numbers it excretes substances 
which act as irritants and poisons and which lead to the formation of 
a small nodule, called a tubercle, at the point of irritation. As the 
bacilli are disseminated through the animal body they affect many 
points and cause the formation of an enormous number of tubercles. 
By the union of such tubercles masses of tubercular material are 
formed, which in some cases are of great size. The disease is called 
tuberculosis because it is characterized by the formation of these 
peculiar nodules, and the bacillus which causes the disease is for the 
same reason known teehnicallv as the Bacillus tuberculosis. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 419 

There are undoubtedly predisposing conditions which contribute 
toward the development of the disease ; some of these are found in the 
animal body and others in the environment. An enfeebled condition 
due to insufficient food, exposure to great extremes of atmospheric 
temperature and insanitary surroundings, or the drain occasioned by 
heavy production of milk appear to aid the development of the 
bacillus, and there is also a special individual susceptibility in some 
cases which may be otherwise described as an inability of the animal 
tissues to resist and destroy the bacilli when they have penetrated to 
the inner recesses of the body. 

Among the conditions of environment which aid the development 
of tuberculosis may be mentioned stabling with lack of ventilation, 
damp buildings, the keeping of many animals together, drafts of air 
which cause colds and catarrhs, and, in general, everything which 
prevents the animals from developing and maintaining the highest 
condition of health. None of these conditions of body or environ- 
ment are sufficient to cause the disease, however, unless the animals 
are exposed to the Bacillus tuberculosis and this bacillus penetrates 
the tissues of their bodies. 

The ways in which the tubercle bacilli find their way into the body, 
in the order of their importance, may be considered under four 
heads: (1) By inhalation into the lungs; (2) by taking intoi the 
digestive tract in the milk of tuberculous cows or with other con- 
taminated food; (3) during coition when the sexual organs are tuber- 
culous; (4) from the tuberculous mother to the fetus in the uterus. 
Inhalation appears to be by far the most common mode of infection. 
The bacilli can reach the lungs only by inhalation when they are 
thoroughly dried and pulverized and in a condition to be carried by 
currents of air. 

It is well known that the bacilli withstand drying for months 
before they lose their power of producing disease. They leave the 
body of diseased animals in several ways. There may be a little dis- 
charge occasionally coughed up as a spray from the diseased lungs, 
or this material may be swallowed and the bacilli carried off with the 
excrement, or milk may be spilt, or there may be a discharge from 
the vagina when the genital organs are tuberculous. There may also 
be ulcers of the intestines, from which many bacilli escape with the 
feces. The bacilli from these sources may become dried and pul- 
verized and carried in the air of the stable and into the lungs of still 
healthy cattle, where the disease then develops. 

The disease of the stomach, intestinas, and mesenteric glands is 
very probably the result of food infection. Tubercle bacilli may have 
been scattered upon the feed by diseased animals. But the most com- 
mon source of such infection is the milk of tuberculous cows. Calves 
may become infected in this way. The disease may remain latent 



420 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

until the animal becomes older. The not infrequent occurrence of 
tuberculosis of the uterus and ovaries makes it probable that the 
disease may be transmitted by a diseased bull or carried by a healthy 
bull from a diseased cow to a number of healthy cows. 

The source of infection is always some previous case of the disease, 
for the latter can never arise spontaneously. Hence, in those stables 
in which there is frequent change of cattle the introduction of tuber- 
culosis by cattle coming from other infected stables is the most fre- 
quent source of infection. Since the bacilli when dried can be car- 
ried by the air, it is not necessary that healthy animals should come 
in direct contact with cases of disease to become infected. In general 
the greatest number of cases occur in the immediate environment of 
cities, where there are not only abundant opportunities for infection, 
owing to the frequent introduction of new animals into herds, but 
where the sanitary conditions may be regarded as the poorest. 

The bacillus of tuberculosis was discovered by Robert Koch in 1882. 
It (see PI. XXIX, fig. 6) is a slender, rod-like body from one-third to 
two-thirds the diameter of a red-blood corpuscle in length. As 
already explained, when the bacillus has become lodged in any organ 
or tissue it begins to multiply, and thereby causes an irritation in 
the tissue around it which leads to the formation of the so-called 
tubercle. The tubercle, when it has reached its full gi-owth, is a 
little nodule about the size of a millet seed. It is composed of several 
kinds of tissue cells. Soon a change takes place within the tubercle. 
Disintegration begins, and a 'soft, cheesy substance is formed in the 
center which may contain particles of lime salts. When these 
tubercles continue to form in large numbers they run together, form- 
ing masses of various sizes. The disintegration which attacks them 
leads to the formation of large cheesy masses of a yellowish color, 
containing more or less of lime salts in the fonn of gritty particles. 
These large, tuberculous masses are surrounded by or embedded in 
layers of fibrous tissue, which in some cases becomes very dense and 
thick. 

The disease is thus a development of these tubercles in one or more 
organs of the body. The distribution and number of the tubercles 
determine the course of the disease. 

In a large number of cases the changes are limited to the lungs and 
the serous membranes ^ of the thorax and abdomen. Pathologists 
have been in the habit of calling the lung disease tuberculosis and 
the disease of the serous membranas " pearly disease." Statistics 
have shown that in about one-half of the cases both lungs and serous 
membranes are diseased, in one-third only the lungs, and in one-fifth 

1 These membranes comprise the smooth, very delicate, glistening lining of the large 
body cavities. In the thorax the serous membrane (pleura) covers the ribs and dia- 
phragm as well as the whole lung surface. In the abdomen a similar membrane (perito- 
neum) lines the interior of the cavity and covers the bowels, liver, spleen, etc. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 421 

only the serous membranes. At the same time the lymphatic glands 
near the diseased organs are usually involved. Other organs, such as 
the liver, not infrequently contain tubercles. Though the disease 
may remain restricted to a single organ, it now and then is found 
generalized, affecting all organs of the body. 

In the lungs (PI. XXXIV) the changes observed vary according 
to the age and intensity qf the disease process. They usually begin 
with the appearance of very minute tubercles. These may appear in 
large numbers on the surface of the lungs or within the lung tissue. 
Later the contents become cheesy and partly calcified. When these 
tubercles are suflficiently nmnerous to become confluent, large masses 
may be formed, which undergo the same retrogressive changes of 
caseation and calcification. In addition to the formation of tubercles 
in the lung tissue, certain other changes take place. There is usually 
present bronchitis with abundant catarrhal secretion. This plugs 
up the smaller air tubes, and the lung tissue supplied with air by 
these tubes collapses. Subsequently it becomes filled with yellowish, 
cheesy matter, Avhich greatly distends the small air tubes and air 
vesicles (bronchopneumonia). The connective tissue between the 
lung lobules, around the tubercles, and around the air tubes becomes 
thickened and indurated. In the larynx and the bronchi tubercles 
may vegetate upon the mucous membrane, and ulcers may result 
from their breaking down. The inflammatory irritation which the 
growth of the tubercles on the surface of the lungs arouses gives rise 
to adhesion of the lungs to the ribs and diaphragm. This adhesion 
is sometimes so firm and extensive that the lungs appear grown to 
the chest wall. 

When, therefore, the lungs in advanced stages of the disease are 
cut open we obsei've large, yellowish masses, from one-quarter to 
three-quarters of an inch in diameter, of a cheesy texture, in which 
calcified, gritty particles are embedded and which are surrounded by 
very firm connective tissue. The neighboring lung tissue, when col- 
lapsed and involved in bronchopneumonia, has the color and con- 
sistency of pale-red flesli. The air tubes^ large and small, stand out 
prominently on the cut surface. They are distended with a pasty, 
yellowish, cheesy mass, surrounded and enveloped in thick mucus, 
and their walls greatly thickened. The larger bronchi may be sac- 
culated, owing to the distention produced bj'^ the cheesy contents. 

The disease usually attacks the bronchial glands, which are situated 
on the trachea and bronchial tubes at the bifurcation. The changes 
in the glands are the same as those going on in the lung tissue, and 
they frequently reach an enormous size. 

The tubercle formation on the serous membranes covering the lungs 
and chest wall (PI. XXXIX, fig. 2), which may go on at the same 
time with the lung disease or independent of it, has been called 



422 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

"pearly disease," on account of the peculiar appearance of the tu- 
bercles. These begin as very minute grayish nodules, which give 
the originally smooth, lustrous membrane a roughened appearance. 
These minute tubercles enlarge, become confluent, and project above 
the surface of the membrane as wartlike masses, attaining the size 
of peas. In this stage their attachment to the membrane is by means 
of delicate fibers. The attachment is loose, so that the tubercle hangs 
by a short pedicle or neck and may be moved slightly to and fro. 
Large masses are frequently formed by a coalescence of many tubercles 
and the secondary formation of the same. These may be found on 
the lungs, the ribs, and the diaphragm. These tubercles likewise 
undergo degenerative changes. The center partly softens and partly 
calcifies into a grayish mortarlike mass, and is gritty. Associated 
with the formation of tubercles on the pleura, those glands situated 
back of the center of the lungs between the two main lobes (posterior 
mediastinal) become greatly enlarged and the center cheesy. (PI. 
XXXVI.) They may compress the esophagus and interfere with 
swallowing. The size attained by these tumors and new growths is 
well illustrated by the fact that, taken together, they not infrequently 
weigh from 60 to 80 pounds. The bronchial glands, which in the 
healthy state are not so large as horse-chestnuts, have been found to 
attain a weight of over 10 pounds. 

In the abdominal cavity tubercles may be found, both in the or- 
gans and on the serous membranes covering them. They are situated 
preferably on the omentum, or caul (see PL XXXVII, PI. XXXVIII, 
fig. 2), the diaphragm, and the walls of the abdomen. In the liver 
large and small tubercular masses are occasionally encountered. 
(See PL XXXV.) The mesenteric glands (see PL XXXVIII, fig. 
1) are occasionally enlarged and tuberculous; likewise the glands 
near the liver. Tubercles may also develop in the spleen, the kid- 
neys, the uterus and ovaries, and the testicles. 

Tubercular affection of the intestines seems to be quite rare, 
although ulcers of the large intestines have been observed. Nodules 
may also form under the serous covering of the intestines. 

The brain and spinal cord are occasionally found tuberculous. Of 
40 cases, Semmer found tuberculosis of the brain in 4. It is not 
improbable that, owing to the infrequency of exposing the brain and 
spinal cord, tuberculosis may have escaped the attention of patholo- 
gists, and it may be that it is not so uncommon as is generally sup- 
posed. The tubercles occur on the membranes of the brain as well as 
in the substance of the brain itself. They project into the ventricles 
as masses, varying in size from a pinhead to a hen's egg. They 
finally lead to various inflammatory changes. Johne has observed 
numerous small tubercles on the membranes of the spinal cord. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 423 

Very rarely tuberculous lesions have been observed in the bones 
and muscles of the body. Not so rare, however, is the affection of the 
lymphatic glands embedded in the muscular tissue, and those which 
can be felt beneath the skin. These are situated at the joints, under 
the jaw, and along the neck. 

Tubercular disease of the udder in cows (PI. XL) has received con- 
siderable attention of late, from sanitarians, owing to the infection of 
the milk with the virus of tuberculosis. According to those who have 
given this subject special attention, the udder becomes swollen uni- 
formly and quite firm. This swelling, which is painless, frequently 
attacks but one quarter, more rarely two, these being usually the hind 
quarters. The larger milk ducts contain yellowish, cheesy particles, 
in which are many tubercle bacilli. Later on larger nodules can be 
felt within the udder, which undergo the various changes to which 
tubercles are subject. The udder may grow very hard to the touch 
and become very large, weighing in some cases up to 40 pounds. The 
milk, at first normal, becomes thin and watery after a month or so, 
and is mixed with flakes and tubercle bacilli. 

As regards the frequency of the tuberculous processes in the dif- 
ferent organs, the following carefully compiled statistics of the 
disease in Bavaria and Baden may serve as a guide : 

Bavaria : Per cent. 

Tuberculosis of lungs and serous membranes 41 

Tuberculosis of lungs alone 33 

Tuberculosis of serous membranes alone (pearly disease) 17 

Tuberculosis of other organs 8 

Baden : 

Tuberculosis of lungs alone 21 

Tuberculosis of serous membranes alone 28 

Both combined 39 

Generalized tuberculosis 9 

Tuberculosis of the sexual organs alone 8 

Symptoms. — The beginning of the disease usually passes unnoticed, 
inasmuch as it is very slow and insidious and rarely accompanied by 
fever. "V\Tien the lungs are involved a dull, short cough is noticed, 
which may later on become prolonged, convulsive, and very trouble- 
some to the animal. The cough is more frequent in the morning after 
movement and drinking. The breathing varies. Only when much of 
the lung tissue is diseased is it labored and accompanied by active 
movements of the chest and nostrils. Discharge from the nose is 
rare or absent. At times, however, when the tubercles have broken 
down and cavities containing cheesy masses have formed in the lung 
tissue, or when the air tubes have become filled with cheesy and 
mucous masses, coughing will dislodge these and cause their dis- 
charge. In advanced stages the breath may have a disagreeable odor. 
Pressure on the chest wall may give rise to pain. 



424 -DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The general effect on the body is at first slight. In fact, animals 
may remain in good flesh for a considerable time. Invariably as the 
disease progresses loss of flesh and appetite and paleness of the 
mucous membranes become manifest. These are accompanied by a 
gradual diminution of the milk secretion. The debilitated condition 
of the animal is also manifested by a staring coat and a tough, dry, 
harsh skin (hidebound). Digestive disturbances are indicated by 
tympanites, or distention of the rumen by gas, colic, and diarrhea, 
alternating with constipation. The animal generally dies from ex- 
haustion after a period of sickness v^hich may last months and years. 

Tuberculosis in the abdominal organs is often signalized by abor- 
tion and by abnormal sexual manifestations. Wlien tlie brain is 
involved, the disease may cause convulsions, unconsciousness, paraly- 
sis, as well as peculiar movements in a circle, oblique position of the 
head, etc. Lydtin quotes the following description of the disease as 
taken from a Swiss sanitary order: 

A dry, short, interrupted, hoarse cough, which the sick animals manifest, 
especially in the morning at feeding time, still more after somewhat violent 
exertion. At first these animals may be full blooded and lay on a considerable 
amount of fat when well fed. As the disease progi-esses they grow thin and 
show more and more those appearances which indicate diseased nutrition, such 
as a staring, lusterless, disheveled coat; dirty, tense skin, which appears very 
pale in those regions free from hair. The temperature of the skin is below 
normal. The loss of fat causes sinking of the eyes in their sockets. They 
appear swimming in water, and their expression is weak. The cough is more 
frequent, but never or very rarely accompanied with discharge. The body con- 
tinues to emaciate, even with plenty of food and a good appetite, so that the 
quantity of milk is small. At times in the early stages of the disease, still 
more in the later stages, the diseased animals manifest considerable tenderness 
when pressure is applied to the front or the sides of the chest by coughing, 
moaning, etc. Often symptoms are wanting in spite of the existence of the 
disease. 

Lydtin also quotes at length a description of the abnormal sexual 
desire occasionally observed among cows when affected with this 
disease. 

Diagnosis. — A disease so varied in its attack upon the different 
organs of the body and in the extent of the disease process must nec- 
essarily lead to mistakes when diagnosis is attempted by ordinary 
means of examination. It has been confounded with the later stages 
of pleuropneumonia, with parasitic diseases of the brain, the lungs, 
the intestines, and with actinomycosis. A careful examination of the 
lungs by ausculation and percussion enables the expert to locate large 
tuberculous masses, owing to dullness, loss of respiratory murmur, and 
abnormal sounds, such as blowing, whistling, and creaking. How- 
ever, the majority of cases of tuberculosis in cattle, including many 
in which the lungs are quite seriously involved, can not be detected 
in this manner. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTUE. 425 



THE TUBERCULIN TEST. 



The tuberculin test, which is marvel ously accurate in its indica- 
tions, has been almost universally adopted for the detection of tuber- 
culosis. Tuberculin is a drug prepared by sterilizing, filtering, and 
concentrating the liquids in which the tubercle bacillus has been 
allowed to vegeta.te. It contains the cooked products of the growth 
of these bacilli, but not the bacilli themselves. Consequently, when 
this substance is injected under the skin of an animal it is absolutely 
unable to produce the disease, cause aboHion, or otherwise injure the 
animal. In case the injected animal is normal there is no more effect 
upon the system than would be expected from the injection of sterile 
Avater. However, if the animal is tuberculous, a decided rise of tem- 
perature will follow the use of tuberculin. This substance, discov- 
ered by Koch, has the effect, when injected into the tissues of a 
tuberculous animal, of causing a decided rise of temperature, while it 
has no such effect upon animals free from the disease. The value of 
tuberculin for this purpose was tested during the yeiirs 1890 and 1891 
by Guttman, Eoeckl and Schiitz, Bang and Salomonsen, Lydtin, 
Johne and Siedamgrotzky, Nocard, and many others. It was at once 
recognized as a most remarkable and accurate method of detecting 
tuberculosis even in the early stages and when the disease had yet 
made but little progress. 

The tuberculin test came into existence through the most careful 
and thorough scientific experimentation. In practice it is applied by 
fii-st taking the temperature of the animal to be tested, at intervals 
of about two hours, a sufficient number of times to establish the nor- 
mal temperature of the body under the ordinary conditions of life. 
The proper dose of tuberculin is then injected under the skin with a 
hypodermic syringe between 8 and 10 p. m, on the day of taking the 
preliminary temperatures. On the following day the temperatures 
are taken every two hours, beginning at 6 a. m. and continuing until 
20 hours following the injection, if the fullest information is de- 
sired.^ From average temperatures calculated by De Schweinitz 
in 1896 of about 1,600 tests of tuberculous cows, it appears that in 
general the rise of temperature begins from five and one-half to six 
hours after the tuberculin is injected, reaches its greatest height from 
the sixteenth to the twentieth hours, and then gradually declines, 
reaching the normal again by the twenty-eighth hour. 

As a result of this method an accurate diagnosis may be established 
in over 97 per cent of the cases tested. The relatively few failures 
in diagnoses are included among two classes of cattle. The first class 



1 The oculo-tubcrculin test and the cuto-tuberculin test, as their names Imply, consist in 
the application of the tuberculin to the eye and to the scarified skin of the animal to 
be tested. These methods will not be discussed at present, as they are still in the 
experimental stage. 



426 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

contains those that are tuberculous, but which do not react either be- 
cause of the slight effect of an ordinary-sized dose of tuberculin on 
an advanced case of the disease with so much natural tuberculin 
already in the system, or on account of a recent previous test with 
tuberculin which produces a tolerance to this material lasting for 
about six weeks. The second class includes those that are not tuber- 
culous, but which show an elevation of temperature as a result of 
(a) advanced pregnancy. (5) the excitement of oestrum, (c) concur- 
rent diseases, as inflammation of the lungs, intestines, uterus, udder, 
or other parts, abortion, retention of afterbirth, indigestion, etc., 
(d) inclosure in a hot, stuffy stable, especially in summer, or exposure 
to cold drafts or rains, (e) any change in the method of feeding, 
watering, or stabling of the animal during the test. Notwithstanding 
all these possibilities of error, the results of thousands of tests show 
that in less than 3 per cent of the cases tested do these failures actu- 
ally occur. In the first class the chances of error are decidedly 
reduced by the skilled veterinarian by making careful physical ex- 
amination and diagnosing clinically these advanced cases, and by the 
injection of double or triple doses into all recently tested cattle, with 
the taking of the after temperature, beginning two hours follow- 
ing the injection and continuing hourly for 20 hours. 

It is therefore apparent that tuberculin should be applied only by 
or under the direction of a competent veterinarian, capable not only 
of injecting the tuberculin but also of interpreting the results, and 
particularly of picking out all clinical cases by physical examination. 
The latter observation is extremely important and should always be 
made on every animal tested. 

In the second class errors are avoided by eliminating those cases 
from the test that are nearing parturition or are in heat or show evi- 
dence of the previously mentioned diseases or exhibit temperatures 
sufficiently high to make them unreliable for use as normal. Then, 
in reading after temperatures it is advisable not to recognize as a 
reaction an elevation of temperature less than 2° F. and which at the 
same time must go above 103.8° F., and the temperature reaction 
must likewise have the characteristic rainbow curve. (Those cases 
which approximate but do not reach this standard should be con- 
sidered as suspicious and held for a retest six weeks later.) In 
addition, a satisfactory tuberculin must be used, also an accurate ther- 
mometer anxi a reliable syringe, in order that a sufficient dose of 
tuberculin may be given. Finally, the number of apparent errors of 
the tuberculin test will be greatly diminished if a careful post-mortem 
examination is made, giving especial attention to the lymph glands. 
This low percentage of failures being the case, cattle owners should 
welcome the tuberculin test, not only for their own interest but for 
the welfare of the public as well. Where this method of diagnosing 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 427 

the disease has been adopted tuberculosis is gradually being eradi- 
cated, while it is spreading rapidly and becoming widely dissemi- 
nated in those districts where the tuberculin test has not been 
employed. Without its use the disease can not be controlled and 
the cattle owner is confronted with serious and continuous losses; 
with its use the disease can be eradicated from the herd, a clean herd 
established in a few years without very serious loss or hardship, and 
the danger of its spread to man removed. Tuberculin may therefore 
be considered a most beneficial discovery for the stock raiser. 
Strange to say, many of these men have been incredulous, antago- 
nistic, or prejudiced against the tuberculin test by misinterpreting 
published statements, by incorrect, unsubstantiated, or exaggerated 
reports, and by alleged injurious effects to healthy cattle. 
Law has clearly stated the question when he says — 

Many stock owners still entertain an ignorant and unwarranted dread of the 
tuberculin test. It is true that when recklessly used by ignorant and careless 
people it may be made a root of evil, yet as employed by the intelligent and 
careful expert it is not only perfectly safe, but it is the only known means of 
ascertaining approximately the actual number affected in a given herd. In most 
infected herds living under what are in other respects good hygienic conditions 
two-thirds or three-fourths are not to be detected without its aid, so that in 
clearing a herd from tuberculosis and placing both herd and products above 
suspicion the test becomes essential. * * * in skilled hands the tuberculin 
test will show at least nine-tenths of all cases of tuberculosis when other 
methods of diagnosis will not detect one-tenth. 

It is perfectly natural that there should be objection to its use 
among those who are not acquainted with its method of preparation 
or its properties, but it is difficult to explain the antagonism of farm- 
ers who are familiar with the facts connected with the manufacture 
and use of tuberculin. Probably the most popular objection to tuber- 
culin is that it is too searching, since it discovers cases in which the 
lesions are small and obscure. While this fact is admitted, it should 
also be borne in mind that such a small lesion to-day may break down 
nnd become widely disseminated in a relatively short period.* There- 
fore any cow affected with tuberculosis even to a slight degree must 
be considered as dangerous not only to the other animals in the herd 
but also to the consumer of her products. 

In 1898, Bang, of Copenhagen, one of the highest European author- 
ities, in his paper presented to the Congress for the Study of Human 
and Animal Tuberculosis, at Paris, said : 

Numerous tests made in almost every civilized country bave demonstrated 
that in the majority of cases tuberculin is an excellent means for diagnosing 
the existence or the nonexistence of the disease, but giving us no positive inform 
mation as to the extent to which the disease has progressed. When tuberculin 
produces a typical reaction we may be almost sure that there exists in the body 
of the animal a tubercular process. The cases in which a careful examiner has 
not succeeded in finding it are very rare, and I am led to believe that when, 



428 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

notwithstanding all the pains taken, it has escaped discovery, the reason is 
that it is located in a portion of the body that is particularly inaccessible. 
Nevertheless, it is not to be denied that a fever, entirely accidental and of 
short duration, may in some rare cases have simulated a reactiori Hovs-ever 
this may be, the error committed in wrongly condemning an occa? ional animal 
for tubei-culosis is of no practical consequence. 

A worse asi^ect of the case is that there are some diseased animals in which 
tuberculin fails to discover the existence of tuberculosis. In most of these, no 
doubt, the deposits are old, insignificant, and generally calcified, or they are 
cases where the disease is arrested and perhaps in process of recovery, and 
which are possibly incapable of disseminating the contagion. But it is knovm 
that there are cases, not altogether rare, where tuberculin fails to cause a 
reaction in a highly tuberculous animal, and consequently one in which the 
disease exists in an extremely contagious form. For this reason a clinical 
examination should always be made of an animal which does not give a reac- 
tion, but which shows symptoms indicating that notwithstanding the test it 
may suffer from tuberculosis. 

Nocard, of Paris, wrote also in 1898 as follows: 

The degree of certainty of the indications furnished may be stated in precise 
terms. The observation of a clear reaction to tuherculin is unequivocal; the 
animal is tuberculous. The pretended errors imputed to the method are ex- 
plained by the extreme sensitiveness of the reagent, which is capable of detect- 
ing the smallest lesion. It often requires prolonged and minute researches in 
the depths of all the tissues to discover the few miliary centei"S, the presence 
of which has been revealed. The reaction is absolutely specific. In those cases 
w'here it is observed with animals which show lesions of another disease (acti- 
nomycosis, hydatid disease, verminous bronchitis, distomatosis), it may be 
afl3rmed that there exists, in addition to these conspicuous changes, a tubercu- 
lous center which alone has provoked the reaction. 

The failure to react does not necessarily imply absence of tuberculosis. Such 
failures of tuberculin are very exceptional. They are seen most frequently with 
animals affected with tuberculosis in a very advanced stage and made evident 
by plain external signs. Sometimes, also, there are found at the post-mortem 
examination of animals which have not reacted small fibrous or calcified lesions 
In such a condition that one is tempted to believe them cured. Whether sterile 
or not these lesions have no tendency to increase, and they are not very danger- 
ous from the point of view of contagion. 

These opinions of two eminent authorities, living in different 
countries, after long experience of their own and after studying the 
results of the many tests made in different parts of the world, 
should have great weight. They are essentially the same throughout. 

In 1897 Voges compiled statistics of tuberculin tests, the accuracy 
of which had been determined by post-mortem examination. Of 
7,327 animals tested, it appeared that erroi-s had been made with 204, 
or 2.78 per cent. In the work of the Pennsylvania Live Stock Sani- 
tary Board post-mortem examinations were made on about 4,400 
reacting cattle and the disease was found in all but 8 of those 
which had given characteristic reactions. 

The results of a much larger number of tests might be compiled 
at this time but they would not materially change the average of 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 429 

those already mentioned. It is plain that tuberculin is a remarkably 
accurate test of tuberculosis, that the animals Avhich react mny be 
safely considered as tuberculous, and that when a careful clinical 
examination is practiced in addition to the test there are few animals 
in a dangerous condition which escape detection. 

The first questions asked by those who oppose the adoption of the 
tuberculin tests are : Is thrs test infallible ? and, If it is not infallible, 
why should it be forced upon the cattle owners of the country? 

In answer to these questions it may be said that tubercidin is not 
absolutely infallible, and yet it is by far the best method of diagnos- 
ing tuberculosis that has been discovered. It is much better than any 
test known for pleuropneumonia when that disease was eradicated. 

Practically all the animals that react are affected with tuberculosis 
and should be separated from the herd, not only in the interest of the 
public but in the interest of the owner of the herd. The best authori- 
ties admit, after studjdng many thousands of tests, that there are 
few, if any, mistakes made in condemning cattle which show a typical 
tuberculin reaction. The errors are principally in the other direc- 
tion — that is, some tuberculous animals are not discovered by the 
tuberculin test, but as the most dangerous of these may be picked 
out by ordinary clinical examination this fault of tuberculin is not 
so serious as it at first sight appears. This being the case, it should 
not be necessary to force the tuberculin test upon owners. They 
should be anxious to adopt it in their own interests and for the pro- 
tection of their patrons. There is to-day no greater danger to the 
cattle and hog industries than that which confronts them in the form 
of tuberculosis, a disease already widespread and rapidly extending. 
Furthermore, tuberculin must be considered as harmless for healthy 
animals in view of the results revealed by numerous tests covering 
vast numbers of animals. And it has also been clearly demonstrated 
that tuberculin interferes in no way with the milldng function in 
healthy cattle ; neither in the quantity of milk nor in butter-fat value 
has any variation been detected. The conclusions of some of the 
best authorities on the subject of its harmlessness to healthy animals 
are given below. 

Nocard and Leclainche state: 

Direct experiments and observations collected by thousands show that the 
tuberculin injections have no unfavorable effect. With healthy animals the sys- 
tem is indifferent to the inoculation ; with tuberculous animals it causes slight 
changes which are not at all serious. 

Bang has written as follows on this question : 

We will now consider the following question, a very important one, in the 
application of tuberculin, viz : Can the reaction produce a worse condition in 
tuberculous animals than before existed? Hess emphatically states that it can, 
and on this account he earnestly warns against its application. My attention 
has been directed to this question fi-om the beginning. In my first publication 



430 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

on tuberculin injection I reported two cases in wbicti acute miliary tuberculosis 
was proved in two bigb-grade tuberculous cows several weeks after tbe tuber- 
culin injection. I tben stated my suspicion tbat perbaps tbe tuberculin injec- 
tion bad some connection witb tbis, just as is often supposed to be tbe case 
in buman practice. Witb my present very large amount of material for obser- 
vation at hand I may express tbe following opinion : Sucb an acute develop- 
ment of tuberculosis as a result of tuberculin injection is to be feared only 
exceptionally, and tben in cases of advanced tuberculosis. It must not he for- 
gotten that acute miliary tuberculosis by no means rarely accompanies an 
advwneed tuberculosis of long standing. It Is therefore impossible to offer 
strict proof of tbe causal connection witb the injection, and only oft-repeated 
observation could make this probable. In support of my view I offer the 
following: In the course of the last three years I have made careful post- 
mortem examinations of 83 tuberculous animals, which have been removed 
from my experiment farm, Tbui'ebylille. Among these were 18 (or, strictly 
speaking, 23) high-grade tuberculous animals. I have been able to prove 
miliary tuberculosis in only 4 of these. Among tbe others, which showed less 
developed tuberculosis, I have never found miliary tuberculosis, and with 
very many I have never found any sign of a more rapid development of the 
process. On the contrary, it has been proved tbat tbe disease was restricted 
locally, often for years, in spite of yearly repeated injections. Dissections were 
made at very different periods after the injections — in 17 cases from 4 to 12 
days after tbe last test. In all of these cases earlier tests had been made 
months or years before. In 28 cases the injection took place from 19 days 
to 2 months before tbe butchering; in 3 of these cases earlier injections bad 
been made. In .38 cases from two and one-half months to one year intervened 
between the last injection and tbe dissection. Dissection gives the best expla- 
nation of this question, but a clinical observation, continued for years, of a herd 
tested with tuberculin can render very essential aid. If Hess's opinion is cor- 
rect, it is to be assumed that tuberculosis must take an unusually vicious 
course in sucb herds, but tbis I have been unable to prove. At Tburebylille 
there has existed for three years a reacting division, consisting originally of 
131 bead and now of 69. Although these animals are yearly tested, and 
although most of them react every year, tbe division certainly appears to be 
made up of healthy animals, and tbe farm inspector has expressed the decided 
opinion that the tuberculosis in tbis division is no more developed than at tbe 
beginning of tbe experiment. The testimony of many owners of large herds 
of cattle which have long ago been injected is to the same effect. I will 
adduce statements from several. A farm tenant whose cattle were injected 
20 months previously, when 82 per cent of the grown animals reacted, wrote 
me recently as follows: " Only 2 cows from the division of 100 head had been 
sold as decidedly tuberculous. The majority appeared afterwards, just as 
before, entirely healthy. Tbe fat animals which bad been slaughtered bad 
been pronounced healthy by tbe butchers." Another farm tenant with a herd 
injected in 1894 had not been obliged to remove a single animal from tbe tuber- 
culosis division, numbering 70 bead. A large farm owner in Jutland stated 
in September that be bad traced no undesirable result from the injection. His 
herd ef 350 bad been injected in February and about 75 per cent reacted. 
Similar answers have been given by other owners and veterinarians. 

A veterinarian who bad injected 600 animals, among them a herd of a large 
farm, 18 months previously, expressed the belief that the injection bad pro- 
duced in no single case an unusually rapid or vicious course of tuberculosis. 
In spite of a demand made months ago. I have received thus far no report from 
any veterinarian of an undesirable result. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTI^. 431 

On a large farm, on which before the injection tuberculosis had appeared 
in a vicious form, the owner had the impression that the severe cases had after- 
wards become more numerous. He had, however, not suffered severe losses, 
and 8 months later the large reacting division by no means made a bad 
impression. Finally, it is to be noticed that tuberculin has been employed on 
a large scale in Denmark for years, and still the demand from farmers con- 
stantly increases. This could certainly not be the case if the injections were 
generally followed by bad results. 

Paige said, after the tests of the herd of the Massachusetts Agri- 
cultural College, that "its use is not followed by any ill effects of a 
serious or permanent nature." 

Lamson, of the New Hampshire College Agricultural Experiment 
Station, said : "There is abundant testimony that its use is not in any 
way injurious to a healthy animal." 

Conn, who made a special study of the present attitude of Euro- 
pean science toward tuberculosis in cattle, reached the following 
conclusions : 

It has been, from the first, thought by some that the use of tuberculin produces 
a direct injury upon the inoculated animals. This, however, is undoubtedly a 
mistake, and there is no longer any belief anywhere on the part of scientists that 
the injury thus produced is worthy of note. In the first place, the idea that it 
may produce the disease in a perfectly healthy animal by the inoculation is abso- 
lutely fallacious. The tuberculin does not contain the tubercle bacillus, and it 
is absolutely certain that it is impossible to produce a case of tuberculosis in an 
animal unless the tubercle bacilli are present. The use of tuberculin, therefore, 
certainly can never produce the disease in the inoculated animal. 

It has been more widely believed, however, that the inoculation of an animal 
with this material has a tendency to stimulate an incipient case of tuberculosis. 
It has been thought that an animal with a very slight case of the disease may, 
after inoculation, show a very rapid extension of this disease and be speedily 
brought to a condition where it is beyond any use. The reasons given for this 
have been the apparent activity of the tuberculosis infection in animals that 
have been slaughtered shortly after inoculation. This has been claimed, not 
only by agriculturists who have not understood the subject well, but also Ijy 
veterinarians and bacteriologists. But here, too, we must recognize that the 
claim has been disproved, and that there is now a practical unanimity of opinion 
on the part of all who are best calculated to judge, that such an injurious effect 
does not occur. Even those who have been most pronounced in the claim that 
there is injury thus resulting from tuberculin have, little by little, modified 
their claim, until at the present time they say either that the injury which they 
formerly claimed does not occur, or that the stimulus of the disease is so slight 
that it should be absolutely neglected, in view of the great value which may 
arise from the use of tuberculin. Apart from two or three who hold this very 
moderate opinion, all bacteriologists and veterinarians unite in agreeing that 
there is no evidence for believing that any injury results. In Denmark, espe- 
cially, many hundreds of thousands of animals have been inoculated, and the 
veterinarians say there is absolutely no reason in all their experience for 
believing that the tuberculin inoculation is followed by any injurious results. 

In 1898 tuberculosis was found in the large Shorthorn herd belong- 
ing to W. C. Edwards, of Canada, who with commendable prompt- 



432 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

ness and public spirit had his animals tested, and at once proceeded 
to separate the diseased from the healthy animals. These were all 
finely bred animals, and the very class which \^ e have been told are 
most siisceptil le to the injurious effects of tuberculin. After using 
this test regularly for two years, Mr. Edwards wrote as follows : 

T have seen lothing to lead me to believe that the tuberculin test had any- 
injurious influence on the course of the disease. It is l)y no means our opinion 
that the disease has been stimulated or aggravated ly the application of the 
tuberculin test. All animals that we have tested two or three times continue 
as hale and hearty as they were previously, and not one animal in our herds 
has broken down or failed in any way since we begrm testing. 

Mr. Edwards, in December, 1901, verbally stated to the writer that 
his views as to the harmlessness of tuberculin remained unchanged, 
and that he had not seen the least ill effect with any of his cattle 
from its use. 

Those who have had most experience with tuberculin have failed 
to observe any injurious effects following its use upon healthy cattle. 
With tuberculous cattle it produces a fever of short duration, and in 
the great majority of cases all derangement of the system which it 
causes disappears within 48 hours after the tuberculin is adminis- 
tered. There appear to have been a very few cases in which the dis- 
ease was aggravated, and a greater number in which it was benefited 
by the injection of tuberculin. The cases of abortion following the 
tuberculin test have not been numerous, even when cows were tested 
within a few weeks of the normal time of calving. The few cases of 
abortion which have occurred may be explained by the fact that 
abortion in cattle is a very coimnon occurrence, and that it would 
inevitably happen sometimes after the tuberculin test as a mere coin- 
cidence and without any relation between the test and the loss of 
the calf. The cases of abortion which have been cited appear to be 
no more numerous than might be expected to have occurred among 
the same number of cattle within the same period if the test had 
not been applied. 

Most of the objections to tuberculin would probably be removed 
if some method of compensation for the reacting animals could be 
devised. Thus, in Pennsylvania, where tuberculosis is being eradi* 
cated with more success than in any other State, and where there are 
usually three times as many voluntary requests on file for the appli- 
cation of the test as can be made, all reacting animals are paid for 
by the State. As the suppression of tuberculosis is a public-health 
measure it would appear perfectly logical for the State governments 
to reimburse cattle owners for animals condemned and slaughtered. 

Provision could be made to pay 70 per cent of the appraised value 
of the condemned animals, not to exceed $30 per head for common 
stock or $00 for registered stock. Such legislation should also in- 
clude a requirement for the testing of all cattle coming into the State. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 433 

All tuberculous animals should be slaughtered in abattoirs having 
Federal inspection, and the money obtained from carcasses which are 
inspected and passed for food, and from the hide and offal of those 
carcasses condemned as unfit for food, should be applied as part pay- 
ment on the indemnity for their respective owners. The payment of 
indemnity for tuberculous animals is a good business policy and would 
do more toward making the tuberculin test popular with cattle owners 
than any other possible action. And as a corollary of the latter more 
testing would be performed, and more tuberculous cattle would be 
discovered at the start, but the gradual suppression of the disease 
would soon be manifest, as has been noted in Pennsylvania and Den- 
mark. Furthermore, as Stiles has mentioned, if tuberculosis can be 
eradicated from dairy herds with but slight loss to the owner, the 
increase in the price of milk would naturally be inhibited, and the 
children of poor families would consequently be in less danger of 
having this very important article of their diet decreased. 

From the investigations and observations that have been mentioned, 
it may be safely concluded — 

1. That the tuberculin test is a wonderfully accurate method of 
determining whether an animal is affected with tuberculosis. 

2. That by the use of tuberculin the animals diseased with tuber- 
culosis may be detected and removed from the herd, thereby eradi- 
cating the disease. 

3. That tuberculin has no injurious effect upon healthy cattle. 

4. That the comparatively small number of cattle which have 
aborted, suffered in health, or fallen off in condition after the tuber- 
culin test were either diseased before the test was made or were 
affected by some cause other than the tuberculin. 

SUMMARY OF DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING THE TUBERCULIN TEST. 

1. Stable cattle under usual conditions and among usual suiTound- 
ings, feed and water in the customary manner. 

2. Make a physical examination of each animal, and give to each 
one some designation by which the ajiimal will be known throughout 
the test. 

3. Take each animal's temperature at least three times at two or 
three hour intervals on the day of injection; for instance, at 2, 5, 
and 8 p. m. 

4. At 8 or 10 p. m. inject a dose of tuberculin under the skin in the 
region of the shoulder, using a sterile hypodermic syringe after dis- 
infecting the skin at the seat of injection with a 5 per cent solution of 
carbolic acid or a similar antiseptic solution. 

5. Tuberculin is not always concentrated to the same degree and 
therefore the dose, which should always appear on the label, varies 

16923°— 12 28 



434 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

considerably. The dose of imported tuberculin is 0.25 c. c. for an 
adult cow, and before injection is diluted with sterile water to 2 c. c. 
The tuberculin made by the Bureau of Animal Industry is prepared 
so that it will not be necessary to dilute it, and the dose is 2 c. c. for 
an adult animal. Yearlings and 2-year-olds, according to size, should 
receive from 1 to 1| c. c, while bulls and very large animals may 
receive 3 c. c. 

6. The next day, at 6 a. m., commence taking temperatures, and 
continue every two or three hours until the twentieth hour after in- 
jection, at which time if there is no tendency for the temperature to 
rise the test may cease. 

7. A rise of two or more degrees Fahrenheit above the maximum 
temperature observed on the previous day, providing this tempera- 
ture exceeds 103.8° F., should be regarded as an indication of tuber- 
culosis. Those cases which approximate but do not reach this 
standard. should be considered as suspicious and held for a retest six 
weeks later, giving double the original dose. 

TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS. 

Treatment of the disease is not seriously considered by any author- 
ities at the present time. 

The measures to be adopted to prevent the spreading of the disease 
must take into consideration not only the tubercle bacillus, but like- 
wise all those circumstances which make cattle more susceptible to 
the disease which have already been dwelt upon. It would be useless 
to repeat here all that has been said above on the transmission of 
tubercle bacilli from one animal to another, and on the dangers of 
certain debilitating influences. A careful study of these will show 
how tuberculosis may, at least in some cases, be prevented. Great 
care should be bestowed upon the breeding, the surroundings, and 
the food of the animal, so that the latter may be put into a condition 
to resist infection even when exposed to it. A tuberculin test should 
be applied to all strange cattle before they are introduced into the 
herd, and those which show a reaction should be refused. 

A rigid exclusion of tuberculous animals is all that is necessary to 
prevent the appearance of the disease, provided cattle are not infected 
by consumptive persons and animals, though it is probably unusual, 
because the bacilli from man are, in the majority of cases, attenuated 
and harmless for cattle. 

Tuberculosis in cattle must also be considered as bearing upon 
tuberculosis of other domesticated animals, particularly hogs. In 
Europe and the United States this disease is not so uncommon among 
hogs, and appears to be on the increase. Tlie reason for its existence 
may be looked for in the feeding of pigs with skim milk, buttermilk, 
and whey from creameries, with the offal of the abattoirs, with the 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxxiv 





Portions ofTuberculous Lungs of Cattle. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxxv 




Tuberculous Liver of Cow. 



JS BIEN CO.N.Y 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxxvi 




Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate: XXXVII. 



f dm 







/< 



''^i 



7i — * 









J 



./SBIEN CO I 



Tuberculosis of the Omentum (Caul.) 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 435 

household refuse generally, and behind tuberculous cattle. If tuber- 
culosis is common among cattle it is likely to be transmitted to hogs 
kept in this way. 

The carcasses of animals which have died of tuberculosis should be 
buried deeply so that thej'^ can not be eaten by other animals. This 
is likewise time of all organs or tissues of slaughtered animals con- 
taining tubercles. These should never be fed to other animals, such 
as hogs, dogs, and cats, and should either be destroyed by fire or 
deeply buried. 

When any of the animals in a herd of cattle show evident symp- 
toms of tuberculosis, or when they are proved to be affected with this 
disease by the tuberculin test, the best method of procedure in most 
cases is to have the affected animals slaughtered and the stables dis 
infected. A large proportion of the animals which are slightly 
affected yield carcasses which are perfectly wholesome and fit for 
human food, but in all such cases there should be an inspection by an 
expert at the time of slaughter to determine which carcasses may be 
used and which should be destroyed. 

The disinfection of stables may be accomplished by thoroughly 
cleaning them, scrubbing the floors with hot water, brushing down all 
loose dust from the walls, and tearing off all woodwork which is 
partly decayed. Then the whole interior of the stable should be 
covered with a good coat of lime wash containing 1 part of formalin 
(which is a 40 per cent watery solution of formaldehyde) to 30 parts 
of the lime wash, or 4 ounces of formalin to each gallon of lime wash. 

Similar precautions should be observed in removing the manure of 
the infected herd from the barnyard and other places accessible to 
cattle, since it is known that tuberculoois cattle frequently eliminate 
large numbers of tubercle bacilli from their bodies through the feces. 
The ground under the manure pile could then be disinfected either 
by applying the above-mentioned formalin solution or unslaked lime 
thickly sprinkled over the soil. 

If all the animals which react are destroyed and the stables dis- 
infected in this manner, the herd should remain free from the disease 
unless other affected animals are added to it. The introduction of 
the disease in this manner may be avoided by requiring a tuberculin 
test of all new animals admitted on the premises. 

It is unfortunately a fact that animals with tuberculosis which 
have been tested several times may become so accustomed to tubercu- 
lin that they will no longer react; consequently it is always advisable 
to purchase cattle from some one who is known to be reliable, as 
otherwise tuberculous animals may be treated with tuberculin for the 
purpose of hiding the disease. 

In the case of very valuable thoroughbred animals it may be more 
advantageous to retain the reacting animals which are in good con- 



436 DISEASES OF CATTI.E. 

dition, in order to breed from them, and in that manner avoid the 
excessive loss which would follow from their immediate slaughter. 
This may be done safely if proper precautions are adopted. The 
healthy animals should be separated from the diseased ones, and the 
stable in which the diseased animals have been should be frequently 
disinfected. When calves are dropped by the tuberculous cows they 
should be immediately removed, or at least not allowed to drink the 
mother's milk more than once or twice, and after that fed upon the 
milk of healthy cows. The milk from the animals which have re- 
acted should not be used until after it has been boiled and the tubercle 
bacilli thus destroyed. The younger animals which are raised from 
tuberculous dams should be tested when they are about 6 months 
old, and all of those which react should be immediately slaughtered. 
It has been found that by following the plan suggested above not 
more than 1 or 2 per cent of the calves will develop tuberculosis. It 
is, of course, some trouble to follow this method, but it enables the 
owner of a purebred herd to retain the strains of blood which he 
has been breeding, and gi'adually to eliminate the disease. At the 
end of six or eight years he should have a herd of cattle free from 
tuberculosis and be prepared to destroy all of those which have re- 
acted. 

BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH. 

The increasing amount of evidence pointing to the identity of 
human and animal tuberculosis, combined with the extraordinary 
mortality of human beings from this disease, often amounting to 10 
to 14 per cent, has raised the question in all civilized countries as 
to how far animal, and especially bovine, tuberculosis was to blame 
for this high mortality. The medical and veterinary professions 
have approached this problem with equal zeal, and much has come to 
light within recent years which enables us to come to some conclu- 
sion. If this disease is transmitted from animals to man, how does 
the transmission take place? As comparatively few people come in 
direct contact with tuberculous cattle, it must be either through the 
meat, the milk, the butter, the cheese, or through all of these products 
that the virus enters the human body. The question has thus nar- 
rowed itself down to the food products furnished by cattle. 

It has become a very urgent question, especially in the poorer coun- 
tries of Europe, whether all flesh from tuberculous animals is unfit 
for human food. It is argued there that if it can be shown that in 
the majority of cases of tuberculosis the bones and the muscular 
system are free from infection, there is no reason why the meat should 
not be put on sale under certain restrictions. The question may be 
resolved into two divisions: (1) How frequently does the disease 
invade those parts of the body which are used as food? (2) When 
the disease process is manifestly restricted to the internal organs, do 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLJE. 437 

tubercle bacilli cir-ciilate in the blood and lymph and can they be 
detected in the muscular tissue? 

(1) Disease of the bones is not unknown, although very rare. 
According to Walley it appears chiefly in the spongy bones of the 
head and backbone and in the long bones of the limbs. Occasionally 
the ends of the bones, where they are covered by the synovial mem- 
brane of the joints, are dotted with tubercles. The muscular system 
itself is very rarely the seat of tuberculous deposits, although the 
lymphatic glands lying near and among the muscles may be not" 
infi'equently diseased. 

(2) Whether tubercle bacilli are found in muscle juice independent 
of any tuberculous deposits is a question which must be approached 
experimentally. There is on record a great variety of opinions on 
this matter, some authorities considering all flesh from tuberculous 
animals unfit for food, while others hold a contrary view. Experi- 
ments have shown that in rare cases the flesh of tuberculous cattle 
contains a small number of tubercle bacilli. In Germany the flesh 
of animals in which the disease is just beginning, or in which it is 
restricted to one or more related organs, is not rejected. When, 
however, the disease has affected the muscles, or bones, or lymphatic 
glands situated on or between them, the flesh is condemned as unfit 
and dangerous. Animals are also rejected in which it is evident, 
from the general distribution of tubercles throughout the various 
organs, that the bacilli have been distributed by the blood and may 
have been carried into the muscular system (generalized tuberculosis). 

Concerning the infectious nature of milk secreted by tuberculous 
cows, authorities have universally agreed that when the udder itself 
is in the slightest degi'ee involved the milk possesses infectious prop- 
erties, and is therefore dangerous. Tubercle bacilli have been found 
in large numbers in the milk and the udder under such circumstances. 
Unlike other affections of the udder, tuberculosis of this organ does 
not at once change the appearance and the quality of the milk 
secreted. Bangs states that for at least a month after the disease has 
appeared the milk is normal in appearance and may be consumed 
and sold without arousing the suspicion of the owner. There is, 
therefore, considerable danger involved in this disease, and the neces- 
sity for the careful inspection of dairy cows seems more urgent than 
ever before. 

Authorities are, however, not fully agreed as to whether the milk 
from tuberculous cows in which the udder is apparently not invaded 
by the disease should be considered dangerous or not. Some are 
inclined to believe that the milk secreted by healthy udders is never 
infectious, even when the lungs or other organs are affected; that, 
in other words, the tubercle bacilli are rarely, if ever, separated from 
the lesions which they produce, and that the udder itself must be 



438 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

diseased before tubercle bacilli can appear in the milk. Experi- 
ments made with the milk of tuberculous cows in which there were 
no indications of udder disease do not bear out this theory, since 
tubercle bacilli have been found in the milk of such cows. Some 
authorities still believe that the udder is diseased when the milk is 
infected, but that the disease escapes observation. However this may 
be, the fact that the udder may be diseased and the disease not rec- 
ognizable simply casts suspicion upon all milk from tuberculous 
animals. We know that the milk of tuberculous cattle may or may 
not contain tubercle bacilli when the udder is apparently free from 
disease, but we have no rapid method of determining whether in 
any given case the milk contains thbercle bacilli or not. Moreover, 
the bacilli may be absent at one time and present at another in milk 
from the same cow. When we consider therefore the extent of tuber- 
culosis and the hidden character of the disease, a certain amount of 
suspicion rests upon all milk. Fortunately tubercle bacilli are read- 
ily destroyed by the temperature of boiling water, and hence both 
meat and milk are made entirely safe, the former by the various 
processes of cooking, the latter by boiling for a few moments. Until 
better means of diagnosis are at hand it is incumbent upon all com- 
munities to have dairy cows examined or inspected, at least to the 
extent of finding out whether the udder shows any signs of disease. 
If this is detected, the affected animal should be killed at once or 
else all opportunity for the sale of such milk removed by appropriate 
measures. The dangers from infected milk might by these means be 
very materially lessened. 

Recently there has been much discussion of the question as to 
whether human and animal tuberculosis are identical diseases and 
as to the possibility of the tuberculosis of animals being transmitted 
to man or that of man being transmitted to animals. 

The fact that tuberculous material from human subjects often failed 
to produce serious disease in cattle was observed by a number of the 
earlier investigators who experimented with such virus. It was the 
experiments and comparative studies of Theobald Smith, however, 
which attracted special attention to the difference in virulence shown 
by tubercle bacilli from human and bovine sources when inoculated 
upon cattle. Smith mentioned also certain morphological and cul- 
tural differences in bacilli fi^om these two sources, and in the location 
and histology of the lesions in cattle produced by such bacilli. He 
did not conclude, however^ that bovine bacilli could not produce dis- 
ease in the himian subject, but said : 

It seems to me that, accepting the clinical evidence on hand, bovine tubercu- 
losis may be transmitted to children when the body is overpowered by large 
numbers of bacilli, as in udder tuberculosis, or when certain unknown favorable 
conditions exist. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 439 

Koch, however, in his address at the British Congress on Tubercu- 
losis, went far beyond this and maintained that " human tubercu- 
losis differs from bovine and can not be transmitted to cattle." As 
to the susceptibility of man to bovine tuberculosis, he said it was not 
yet absolutely decided, but one was " nevertheless already at liberty 
to say that, if such a susceptibility really exists, the infection of 
human beings is but a very rare occurrence." He emphasized this 
view in the following language : 

I should estimate the extent of infection by the milk and flesh of tubercular 
cattle and the butter made of their milk as hardly greater than that of heredi- 
tary transmission, and I therefore do not deem it advisable to take any 
measures against it. 

This conclusion was so radically different from the views of most 
experimenters and so out of harmony with facts wliich had ap- 
parently been demonstrated by others that it at once aroused opposi- 
tion in the congress, followed by the adoption of dissenting resolu- 
tions, and led to numerous investigations in various countries. 
Koch's conclusions were based upon his failure to produce tubercu- 
losis in cattle and other animals by inoculating them with tuberculous 
material of human origin and his success in causing progressive and 
fatal tuberculosis in the same kinds of animals when inoculated with 
tuberculous material of bovine origin. With such positiveness did he 
hold to the constant and specific difference between the human and 
bovine bacillus that he promulgated an experimental method of dis- 
criminating between them. Speaking of the etiology of intestinal 
tuberculosis in man, he said : 

Hitherto nobody could decide with certainty in such a case whether the tuber- 
culosis of the intestine was of human or of animal origin. Now we can diag- 
nose them. All that is necessary is to cultivate in pure culture the tubercle 
bacilli found in the tubercular material, and to ascertain whether they belong 
to bovine tuberculosis by inoculating cattle with them. For this purpose I 
recommend subcutaneous injection, which yields quite specially characteristic 
and convincing results. 

These important and comprehensive conclusions followed from a 
comparatively few experiments upon animals, and apparently no 
effort had been made to learn to what extent human tubercle bacilli 
might differ in their virulence for cattle or what grades of virulence 
there might be among bacilli of bovine origin. Vagedes had already 
shown that bacilli were sometimes present in human lesions which 
were as virulent as bovine bacilli, but his work was wholly ignored 
by Koch. 

A considerable nmnber of investigators, including Chauveau, 
Vagedes, Ravenel, de Schweinitz, Mohler, De Jong, Delepine^ Orth, 
Stenstrom, Fibiger and Jensen, Max Wolff, Nocard, Arloing, Behr- 
ing, Dean and Todd, Hamilton and Young, the German Tuberculosis 
Commission, and Theobald Smith, have found tubercle bacilli in the 



440 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

bodies of human beings that died of tuberculosis which proved to 
have about the same virulence for cattle as had the bacilli from, 
bovine animals affected by the disease. 

Kossel, in a preliminary report, stated that the German commission 
had tested 7 cultures of tuberculosis from cattle and hogs — 4 from 
cattle and 3 from hogs. Two of these cultures proved acutely fatal 
in cattle after eight to nine weeks; 4 of the cultures likewise pro- 
duced a generalized tuberculosis, but which certainly had a more 
chronic course, while 1 of the cultures caused only an infiltration at 
the point of inoculation, with some caseous foci in the adjoining 
prescapular gland and in one of the mediastinal glands, and there 
was lacking the spreading of the tuberculosis over the entire body 
which they were accustomed to see after the injection of cultures of 
bovine tuberculosis. " Hence," says Kossel, " among bovine tuber- 
culosis bacilli there can also occur differences with regard to the 
virulence." 

The German commission also tested 39 different freshly made cul- 
tures from tuberculous disease in man. Nineteen of these cultures 
did not produce the slightest symptoms in cattle; with 9 others the 
cattle exhibited after four months very minute foci in the prescapu- 
lar glands, which were mostly encapsuled and showed no inclination 
to progress; with 7 other cases there was somewhat more marked 
disease of the prescapular glands, but it did not go so far as a mate- 
rial spreading of the process to the glands next adjoining. There 
were 4 cultures, however, which were more virulent and caused gen- 
eralized tuberculosis in the cattle inoculated with them. 

It would appear, therefore, that hereafter everyone must admit that 
it is impossible always to tell the source of a culture of the tubercle 
bacillus by its effect when it is inoculated upon cattle. One of the 
bovine cultures failed to produce generalized tuberculosis in cattle, 
and some of the human cultures did produce this form of the disease 
in such animals. Moreover, while some of the human cultures caused 
no disease at all, others led to the development of minute foci in the 
prescapular glands, and still others to somewhat more marked disease 
of these glands. There were, consequently, four degrees of virulence 
noted in these 39 cultures of bacilli from human sources and three 
degrees of virulence in the 7 cultures from animal sources. 

Now, if we accept the Anews of Koch as to the specific difference 
between human and bovine tubercle bacilli, and that the human bacilli 
produce only localized lesions in cattle, while bovine bacilli produce 
generalized lesions in these animals, must we not conclude that the 
one nonvirulent bovine culture was in reality of human origin, and 
that the animal from which it was obtained had been infected from 
man ? This is a logical deduction, but reverses the dictum laid down 
at London that human tuberculosis is not transmissible to cattle. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 441 

Again, how are we to explain the human cultures of medium viru- 
lence? Are they human bacilli which, for some unknown reason, are 
increasing in virulence and approaching the activity of the bovine 
bacillus? Or are they really bovine bacilli which have multiplied in 
the human body until their virulence has become attenuated? In 
whatever manner these questions are decided it would seem that the 
findings of the German commission, instead of supporting Koch's 
views that we can decide with certainty by the inoculation of cattle 
as to the source of any given bacillus, really show that this method 
of diagnosis is extremely uncertain in the present condition of our 
knowledge. 

It is definitely admitted that 4 of the human cultures caused gen- 
eralized tuberculosis in cattle; but Kossel suggests that it might be 
possible that the bacilli in cases of human tuberculosis under certain 
circumstances could likewise attain a very high pathogenic activity 
for cattle without being for that reason bovine bacilli. Undoubtedly 
the German commission is confronting the two horns of a dilemma, 
either one of which is fatal to the views of Koch as stated with such 
positiveness at London. If we accept this suggestion thrown out by 
Kossel, we must conclude that Koch was wrong in his claim that 
human tuberculosis can not be transmitted to cattle, and thus with 
one blow we destroy the entire experimental support which he had 
for his argument before the British Congress on Tuberculosis. And 
if, on the other hand, we accept the conclusion which follows from 
the principle laid down by Koch for the discrimination between 
human and bovine bacilli, and which appears to be favored by Kossel, 
we must admit that bovine tuberculosis is an extremely important 
factor in the etiology of hunraii tuberculosis. Of the 39 cases of 
human tuberculosis tested, 4, or over 10 per cent, were virulent for 
cattle and would be classified as of bovine origin; but these 4 cases 
were all found among the 16 cases of tuberculosis in children which 
the commission investigated ; hence it is plain that 25 per cent of the 
cases tested of tuberculosis in children would by Koch's method be 
classified as of bovine origin. 

In the Bureau of Animal Industry two distinct lines of experiments 
have been carried on, in order that one might serve as a check against 
the other. There has been, however, no discrepancy in the results. 
De Schweinitz, in the Biochemic Division, Bureau of Animal Indus- 
try, isolated 9 cultures from human tuberculosis. Two of these 
were derived from human sputum, 3 from cases of generalized tuber- 
culosis in adults, and 4 from cases of generalized tuberculosis in chil- 
dren. By comparing these cultures with a newly isolated virulent 
culture of bo\dne tuberculosis, there were found among them 2 cul- 
tures from children which were identical in their cultural and mor- 
phological characters with the bovine bacillus. These cultures also 



442 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

killed rabbits and guinea pigs in as short a time as did the bovine 
bacillus. Hogs which were inoculated subcutaneously with these 2 
cultures from children died of generalized tuberculosis. Two calves 
weighing over 300 pounds each were inoculated subcutaneously with 
these virulent human cultures, and as a result developed generalized 
tuberculosis. A yearling heifer inoculated with 1 of the cultures 
showed generalized tuberculosis when killed three months after inocu- 
lation. Both the cattle and the hogs had been tested with tuberculin 
and found to be free from tuberculosis before the inoculations were 
made. It is important to observe in this connection that 2 out, of 4, 
or 50 per cent, of the cultures obtained from cases of generalized 
tuberculosis in children proved virulent for cattle. 

Mohler, working in the Pathological Division, Bureau of Animal 
Industry, has obtained 3 very virulent cultures of tubercle bacilli 
from the human subject. A goat inoculated subcutaneously with 1 
of these cultures died in 37 days with miliary tuberculosis of the 
lungs involving the axillary and prescapular glands. This bacillus 
was obtained from the mesenteric gland of a boy. Of still greater 
interest is a bacillus isolated by Mohler from human sputum. A goat 
inoculated subcutaneously with a culture of this germ died in 95 days 
of pulmonary tuberculosis. A cat inoculated in the same manner 
died in 23 days of generalized tuberculosis. A rabbit similarly 
inoculated died in 59 days of pulmonary tuberculosis. Another rabbit 
inoculated with a bovine culture for comparison lived 10 days longer 
than the one inoculated with this sputum germ. Mohler also inocu- 
lated subcutaneously a 1-year-old heifer with a culture derived from 
the tuberculous mesenteric gland of a boy 4 years of age. This culture 
was always refractory in its growth under artificial conditions, and 
the bacilli were short, stubby rods^ corresponding in appearance with 
the bovine type. At the autopsy, held 127 days after the inoculation, 
the general condition was seen to be poor and unthrifty, and large, 
hard tumors were found at the points of inoculation. On the right 
side the swelling measured 3^ by 5 inches, and the coiTesponding 
lymph gland was 2f inches long by If inches in diameter. This gland 
contained numerous calcareous foci ; one of these at the apex was an 
inch in diameter. The lesions on the left shoulder of the animal were 
very similar to those found on the right side, but the dimensions of 
the tumor were slightly less. The lungs presented an irregular mass 
of tuberculous nodules, and 7 or 8 grapelike nodules were seen on the 
parietal pleura. Bronchial and mediastinal lymph glands contained 
numerous tuberculous foci, and the pericardium, peritoneum, spleen^ 
and liver were also affected. 

In order to throw some light, if possible, upon the morphological 
constancy of the different types of tubercle bacilli, Mohler has made 
comparative studies of bacilli from various sources, and which had 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 443 

been passed through various species of animals, by making the cul- 
tures upon dog serum after the method described by Theobald Smith. 
Some important results have been obtained. One culture of human 
bacilli which had morphological and cultural peculiarities similar to 
those of the bovine bacillus, and which produced only local lesions in 
cattle, was passed through a series of five cats. It was then found to 
be completely changed in its morphological characters, the rods being 
elongated, slender, more or less beaded, and entirely of the human 
type. But far from decreasing in virulence, as might be expected 
from its morphological appearance, this bacillus had so increased in 
its pathogenic activity that it now produced generalized tuberculosis 
in a cow. This cow was inoculated subcutaneously in front of each 
shoulder with 2 c. c. of a salt solution emulsion of the tuberculous 
omentum of the last cat of the series. The cow rapidly lost flesh, 
had a temperature of 104° F., with the point of inoculation and adja- 
cent glands greatly swollen. The autopsy revealed generalized tuber- 
culosis, involving the lungs, mediastinal glands, spleen, liver, and 
kidneys. Tubercle bacilli of the bovine type obtained from the 
mesenteric glands of a sheep, hog, and cow were similarly trans- 
formed in their morphological appearance after being passed through 
a series of cats and recovered on dog sermn. These bacilli also 
increased in virulence, as the last cat in the series invariably suc- 
cumbed in a shorter time than the first of the series. 

These experiments and observations indicate that the types of 
tubercle bacilli are very inconstant, and that under suitable condi- 
tions they readily change both in morphology and in virulence. A 
similar conclusion was reached by other investigators in working 
with the avian and piscine type?; of tubercle bacilli several years ago, 
and was reasonably to have been expected with the human and bovine 
types. 

It must be plain to all, from these recent developments, that too 
much has been made of the slight differences in cultural character- 
istics, in morphology, and in virulence which have been observed in 
some cases in comparing the human and the bovine bacilli. The 
observations were interesting, and it was important that they should 
be followed up until their significance was made entirely clear; but 
it was an almost unpardonable error, from a sanitary point of view, 
to promulgate sweeping generalizations calculated to arrest and 
abolish important measures for preventing human tuberculosis before 
the soundness of these generalizations had been established by a 
thorough course of experimentation. 

\ATien Koch said in the British Congress on Tuberculosis that he 
should estimate the extent of infection by the milk and flesh of tuber- 
culous cattle and the butter made of their milk as hardly greater than 
that of hereditary transmission, and that he therefore did not deem 



TUBERCULOSIS. 

[Description of plates.] 

Plate XXXIV. Tuberculosis of the lungs. The upper figure represents a 
large cheesy mass, surroun<l(xl by a v- ' sule of connective tissue, the whole em- 
bedded in healthy lung tissue, T 'O iuvve.r figure illustrates in section a mass of 
tubercles which have imdergone cheesy degeneration, md some of which are 
surrounded by dense counectivo tissue. 

Plate XXXV. Tuberculosis of the liver. A large portion of the lobe repre- 
sented in the plate has undergone tuberculous changes. Numerous nodules are 
shown in various stages of the disease, the majority of which, however, contain 
the yellowish, partly cheesy, partly gritty areas characteristic of advanced 
tuberculous degeneration. This large mass involves the surface of the liver, 
and also extends into the liver substance. 

Plate XXXVI. A lymph gland from the region of the thorax behind or above 
the esophagus, or gullet (posterior, or dorsal, mediastinum). The gland is 
shown cut through and laid open. It is very much enlarged, and the yellowish 
cheesy masses which represent tissue undergoing tuberculous changes are well 
shown on the cut surface. 

Plate XXXVII. Represents the omentum, or caul, of a tuberculous cow. The 
preparation had beeu in alcohol for some time. The projecting masses are the 
tubercles, whence the name " pearly disease " for that form of the malady in 
which these tubercles are present. They are mainly restricted to the lining 
membrane of the thorax and abdomen. 

Plate XXXVIII. Fig. 1. Lymphatic gland of the mesentery (the fold of mem- 
brane to which the small intestines are attached) cut open. The gland is very 
much enlarged. The yellowish portions represent tissue which has undergone 
tuberculous changes. 

Fig. 2. Omentum, or caul, restin,g upon the paunch. The reddish nodules with 
which the membrane is beset ax"e tubercles, the product of the disease. Both 
specimens are from the same animal, a Jersey cow. 

Plate XXXIX. Fig. 1. Tuberculosis of the sirloin and porterhouse cuts of 
beef. The grapelike tuberculous growths are mainly restricted to the lining 
membrane of the abdomen. 

Fig. 2. Tuberculosis of the pleura of cow, so-called "pearly disease." Notice 
the grapelike clusters of tubercular nodules scattered over the lining membrane 
of the chest (pleura). 

Plate XL. Tuberculosis of a cow's udder which appeared uniformly swollen 
and quite firm. Small cheesy foci and yellowish lines of tuberculous material 
follow the course of the milk ducts. The mucous membrane of the milk cistern 
(a) is ulcerated and covered with yellowish cheesy particles. The supramam- 
mary lymphatic gland (&) is greatly enlarged and contains many miliary 
tubercular foci. 

444 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xxxviii 




Fig.l 




Fig 2 



JULIUS BIEN CO. I 



Tuberculosis of Lymphatic Gland 
AND OF Omentum (Caul.) 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XXXIX. 




Fig. 1.— Tuberculosis of the Sirloin and Porterhouse Cuts 
OF Beef. 




Fig. 2.— Tuberculosis of Ple,ura of Cow— So-called Pearly 
Disease. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xl 




Tuberculous Udder of Cow. 



JULIUS BIEN CO, N.Y. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTL.E. 445 

it advisable to take any measures against it, he went far beyond what 
was justified by any experiments or observations Avhich he reported, 
and he did an immense amount of harm, which will be manifested for 
years to come to those who endeavor to guard the human race from 
the dangers of animal tuberculosis. The researches which have been 
alluded to make these dangere more definite and certain than they 
have appeared before, and, sanitarians should therefore most ear- 
nestly endeavor to counteract the erroneous and harmful impression 
which was made by Koch's address at London and his subsequent 
address at the International Conference on Tuberculosis at Berlin. 

VARIOLA.. 

Variola of cattle, commonly known as " cowpox," is a contagious 
disease of cattle which manifests its presence through an elevation of 
temperature, a shrinkage in milk production, and by the appearance 
of characteristic pustular eruptions, especially upon the teats and 
udders of dairy cows. Although this is a contagious disease strictly 
speaking, it is so universally harmless and benign in its course that 
it is robbed of the terrors which usually accompany all spreading 
diseases, and is allowed to enter a herd of cattle, run its course, and 
disappear without exciting any particular notice. 

The disease is quite common in this country, especially in the 
Eastern States. 

The contagion of cowpox does not travel through the air from ani- 
mal to animal, but is transfused only by actual contact of the con- 
tagious principle with the skin of some susceptible animal. It may 
be carried in this manner, not alone from cattle to cattle, but horses, 
sheep, goats, and man may readily contract the disease whenever 
suitable conditions attend their inoculation. 

An identical disease frequently appears upon horses, attacking their 
heels, and thence extending upward along the leg, producing, as it 
progresses, inflammation and swelling of the skin, followed later by 
pustules, which soon iiipture, discharging a sticky, disagreeable secre- 
tion. Other parts of the body are frequently affected in like manner, 
especially in the region of the head, where the eruptions may appear 
upon lips and nostrils, or upon the mucous surfaces of the nasal 
cavities, mouth, or eyes. 

Variola of the horse is readily transmitted to cattle, if both are 
cared for by the same attendant, and, conversely, variola of cattle may 
be carried from the cow to the horse on the hands of a person who 
has been milking a cow affected with the disease. 

The method of vaccination with material derived from the eruptions 
of cowpox as a safeguard against the ravages of smallpox in members 
of the human family is well known. The immunity which such vac- 
cination confers upon the human subject has led many writers to 
assert that cowpox is simply a modified form of smallpox, whose 



446 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

harmless attack upon the human system is due to a certain attenua- 
tion derived during its passage through the system of the cow or 
horse. The results of numerous experiments, which have been car- 
ried out for the purpose of determining the relationship existing 
between variola of the human and bovine families, seem to show, 
however, that although possessing many similar characteristics, they 
are nevertheless distinct, and that in spite of repeated inoculations 
from cattle to man, and vice versa, no transformation in the real 
character of the disease ever takes place. 

Symptoms. — The disease appears in four to seven days after natural 
infection, or may evince itself in two or three days as the result of 
artificial inoculation. Young milch cows are most susceptible to an 
attack, but older cows, bulls, or young cattle are by no means immune. 
The attack causes a slight rise in temperature, which is soon followed 
by the appearance of reddened, inflamed areas, principally upon the 
teats and udder, and at times on the abdominal skin or the skin of 
the inner surface of the thighs. In a few cases the skin of the throat 
and jaws has been found similarly involved. If the affected parts are 
examined on the second day after the establishment of the inflamma- 
tion numerous pale red nodules will be found, which gradually expand 
until they reach a diameter of one-half inch or even larger within 
a few days. At this period the tops of the nodules become trans- 
formed into vesicles which are depressed in the center and contain a 
pale serous fluid. They usually reach their maturity by the tenth 
day of the course of the disease and are then the size of a bean. 
From this time the contents of the vesicles become purulent, which 
requires about three days, when the typical pox pustule is present, 
consisting of a swelling with broad, reddened base, within which is an 
elevated, conical abscess varying from the size of a pea to that of a 
hazelnut. 

• The course of the disease after the full maturity of the pustule is 
rapid where outside interference has not caused a premature rupture 
of the small abscess at the apex of the swelling. The pustules gradu- 
ally become darker colored and drier until nothing remains but a 
thick scab, which at last falls off, leaving only a slight whitish scar 
behind. The total duration of the disease covers some 20 days in 
each animal, and, owing to the slow spread of the infection from 
animal to animal, many weeks may elapse before a stable can be fully 
freed from it. The fallen scabs and crusts may retain their conta- 
gious properties for several days when mixed with litter and bedding 
upon the floor of the stable, and during this period they are at any 
time capable of producing new outbreaks should fresh cattle be 
brought into the stalls and thus come into actual contact with them. 
Again, the pustules may appear, one after another, on a single animal, 
in which case the duration of the disease is materially lengthened. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 447 

Treatment. — In herds of cattle that regularly receive careful han- 
dling, no special treatment will be found nece&sary beyond the appli- 
cation of softening and disinfecting agents to such vesicles upon the 
teats as may have become ruptured by the hands of the milker. Car- 
bolized vaseline or iodoform ointment will be found well suited to 
this work. In more persistent cases it may be found desirable to use 
a milking tube in order to prevent the repeated opening of the pustules 
during the operation of milking. Washing the sores twice daily with 
a weak solution of zinc chlorid (2^ per cent solution) has been found 
to assist in checking the inflammation and to cleanse and heal the 
parts by its germicidal action. Wlien the udder is hard, swollen, and 
painful, support it by a bandage and foment frequently with hot 
water. If calves are allowed to suckle the cows the pustules become 
confluent, and the uclerations may extend up into the teat, causing 
garget and ruining the whole quarter of the udder. 

As young cows are most susceptible to variola, the milker must 
exercise constant patience with these affected animals so long as their 
teats or udders are sore and tender, else the patient may contract 
vicious habits while resisting painful handling. The flow of milk is 
usually lessened as soon as the fever becomes established, but returns 
to normal with the return of perfect health. 

The practice of thorough cleanliness in handling or milking affected 
cattle may, in many instances, prevent the dissemination of the 
trouble among the healthy portion of the herd, but even the greatest 
care may prove insufficient to check the spread until it has attacked 
each animal of the herd in turn. 

ACTINOMYCOSIS. 
(Pis. XLI to XLIII, inclusive.) 

Actinomycosis, also known as lumpy jaw, big jaw, wooden tongue, 
etc., is a chronic infectious disease characterized by the formation 
of peculiar tumors in various regions of the body, more particu- 
larly the head, and due to the specific action of a certain fungus 
(actinomyces). This fimgus is an organism which occurs in the tis- 
sues in the form of rosettes, and it has therefore been termed the 
" ray fungus." The disease is not directly transmitted from one 
animal to another, but it seems apparent that the fungus is conveyed 
into the tissues by various foodstuffs through slight wounds of the 
mucous membrane of the mouth, decayed teeth, or during the shed- 
ding of milk teeth. The ray fungus is found in nature vegetated on 
grasses, on the awns of barley, the spears of oats, and on other grains. 
Quantities of the fungi have been found between the vegetable fibers 
of barley which had penetrated the gums of cattle and on the awns 
of grain embedded in the tongues of cows. 

Although actinomycotic tumors on cattle had been the object of 
study for many years, it was not until 1877 that the constant presence 



448 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

of actinomyces was pointed out by Bollinger, of Munich, and since 
that time considered the cause. This fungus has been observed in 
these tumors as early as 1860 by Rivolta, and by others subsequently, 
without having been suspected as causing them. 

Since Bollinger's publication a large amount of work has been 
done, many observations made, and many hitherto obscure disease 
processes brought into relation with this fungus. Furthermore, a 
similar disease in man was first definitely shown to be associated with 
the same fungus in 1878 by Israel, and in the following year Ponfick 
pointed out that the disease described by Bollinger in animals and 
that found by Israel in man were due to the same cause ; that is, that 
the fungi described by these observers were one and the same. 

The tumors and abscesses wherever they may be situated are all 
found to be the same in origin by the presence of the actinomyces 
fungus. When they are incised, a very close scrutiny with the naked 
eye, or at most a hand lens, will reveal the presence of minute grains 
which vary from a pale-yellow to a sulphur-yellow color. They may 
be very abundant or so few as to be overlooked. They are embedded 
in the soft tissue composing the tumor or in the pus of the abscess. 
With a needle they are easily lifted out from the tissue, and then they 
appear as roundish masses about one-half millimeter (-gV inch) in 
diameter. To anyone familiar with the use of a microscope the 
recognition of these grains or particles without any previous prepa- 
ration is a comparatively easy task. 

When examined in the fresh condition under a microscope magni- 
fying up to 250 diameters the general structure is made out without 
much difficulty. These grains consist of collections of minute round- 
ish masses. Their outer surface is made up of club-shaped bodies all 
radiating from the center of the mass (see PI. XLI, fig. 2), some- 
what like a rosette. If the fungus is crushed, the interior is found 
made up of bundles of very fine filaments, which are probably con- 
tinous into the club-shaped bodies. The addition of a dilute solution 
of caustic soda or potash greatly aids the examination, since it 
removes the layer of cells adhering to the fungus, which obscures the 
structure. Now and then these grains are found to be in a calcified 
condition. The exterior is incrusted in lime salts, which are dis- 
solved by adding some weak dilute acid, like acetic acid. Only by 
this procedure can the fungus be definitely recognized when in a 
mummified condition. 

These are the bodies whose presence causes sufficient irritation in 
the tissues into which they find their way to set up inflammatory 
growths. These growths increase as the fungus continues to multiply 
until they reach enormous dimensions, if the affected animal is per- 
mitted to live long enough. The true nature of this parasite is not 
yet definitely settled, although many excellent observers have occu- 
pied themselves with it. According to earlier observers, it is a true 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 449 

fimgiis. Later ones are inclined to place it among the higher 
bacteria. Further investigations will be necessary to clear np this 
subject. 

"S^Tiatever be the situation of the disease caused by actinomyces, 
its nature is fundamentally the same and peculiar to the fungus. 
The pathological details which make this statement clear can not be 
entered upon in this place,, nor would they be of any practical value 
to the farmer. We will simply dwell upon a few obvious characters. 

The consistency of the tumor varies in different situations accord- 
ing to the quantity of fibrous or connective tissue present. When 
very little of this is present the tumor is of a very soft consistency. 
As the quantity of connective tissue is increased the tumor is firmer 
and of a more honeycombed appearance. The individual actino- 
m3^ces colonies are lodged in the spaces or interstices formed bj' the 
meshwork of the connective tissue. There they are surrounded by 
a mantle of cellular elements which fill up the spaces. By scraping 
the cut surface of such a tumor these cell masses inclosing the fungi 
come away, and the latter may be seen as pale-yellow or suliDhur- 
yellow specks, as described above. 

Location of the disease. — In cattle the disease process may be lo- 
cated both externally, where it is readily detected, and in internal 
organs. Its preferred seat is on the bones of the lower and upper 
jaw, in the parotid salivary gland in the angle of the jaw, and in the 
region of the throat. It may also appear under the skin in different 
parts of the body. Internally it may attack the tongue and appear 
in the form of a tumor in the mouth, pharynx, and larynx. It may 
cause extensive disease of the lungs, more rarely of the digestive tract. 

It appeal's, furthermore, that in certain districts or countries the 
disease seems to attack by preference certain parts. Thus in Eng- 
land actinomycosis of the tongue is most prevalent. In Denmark 
the soft parts of the head are most prone to disease, while in Eussia 
the lips are the usual seat. In certain parts of Germany actinomy- 
cotic tumors of the throat (pharynx), in others disease of the jaw- 
bones, is most frequently encountered. 

A description of actinomycosis of the jaw (lumpy jaw) and of the 
tongue has already been given in a previous chapter, and hence they 
will be dealt with here only very briefly. When the disease attacks 
the soft parts of the head a rather firm swelling appears, in which 
are formed one or more smaller projecting tumors, varying from 
the size of a nut to that of an ^gg. These push their way outward 
and finally break through the skin as small, reddish, funguslike 
bodies covered with thin sloughs. Or the original swelling, in place 
of enlarging in the manner described, may become transformed into 
an abscess which finally bursts to discharge cream}^ pus. The abscess 
16923°— 12 ^29 



450 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

cavity, however, does not disappear, but is soon filled with fungus- 
like growths, which force their way outward through the opening. 

When the tumors are situated within the cavity of the pharynx 
they have broken through from some gland, perhaps beneath the 
mucous membrane, where the disease first appeared, and hang or 
project into the cavity of the pharynx, either as pendulous masses 
with a slender stem or as tumors with a broad base. Their position 
may be such as to interfere with swallowing and with breathing. 
In either case serious symptoms will soon appear. 

The invasion of the bones of the jaws by actinomycosis must be 
regarded as one of the most serious forms of the disease. (Pis. XLI, 
XLIII.) It may start in the marrow of the bone and by a slow 
extension gradually undermine the entire thickness of the bone 
itself. The growth may continue outward, and after working its 
way through muscle and skin finally break through and appear ex- 
ternally as stinking fungoid growths. The growth may at the same 
time work its way inward and appear in the mouth. The disease 
may also begin in the periosteum, or covering of the bone, and de- 
stroy the bone from without inward. 

Actinomycosis of the lungs is occasionally observed, and it is not 
improbable that it has been mistaken at times for tuberculosis. The 
actinomyces grains are, however, easily observed if the diseased tissue 
be carefully examined. The changes in the lungs as they appear to 
the naked eye vary considerably from case to case. Thus, in one 
animal the lungs were affected as in ordinary bronchopneumonia as 
to the location, extent, and appearance of the disease process. The 
affected lobes had a dark-red flesh appearance, with yellowish areas 
sprinkled in here and there. (See PI. XLII, figs. 1, 2.) These 
latter areas were the seat of multiplication of the actinomyces fungus. 
In another case, of which only a small portion of the lungs were sent 
to the laboratory, these were completely transformed into a uni- 
formly grayish mass, very soft and pulpj'^ to the touch, and appear- 
ing like very soft and moist dough. (PI. XLII, fig. 3.) The ac- 
tinomyces grains were exceedingly abundant in this tissue, and 
appeared when the tissue was incised as minute sulphur-yellow 
grains, densely sprinkled through the tissue, which readily came 
away and adhered to the knife blade. In still another case a por- 
tion of the lung tissue was converted into large, soft masses from 
1 to 3 inches in diameter, each partly inclosed in very dense con- 
nective tissue. These soft, grayish-yellow masses likewise resembled 
moist dough in their consistency, and the actinomyces grains, though 
neither very distinct nor at all abundant, were easily fished out and 
identified as such. A portion of this growth, which was as large as 
a child's head, was converted into an abscess filled with creamy semi- 
liquid pus. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 451 

This case differed from the preceding in that all appearance of 
lung tissue had disappeared from the diseased mass. Only on the 
exterior the lung tissue could be recognized, although even there it 
had been largely converted into very dense, whitish connective tissue 
inclosing the fungoid growth. In the other case the external form 
of the lung and the shape and outline of the lobules were preserved, 
but the lung tissue itself was not recognizable as such. In the case 
first mentioned the changes were still less marked, and actinomycosis 
would not have been suspected by a simple inspection. These few 
illustrations suffice to show that antinomy cosis of the lungs may 
appear under quite different forms, and that the nature of the disease 
can be accurately determined only by finding the fungus itself. 
Rarely actinomycosis attacks the body externally in places other 
than the head and neck. Crookshank describes the case of a bull 
in Avhich the flank was attacked and subsequently the scrotum became 
diseased. A large portion of the skin of the flank was destroyed 
and covered with a leathery crust. When this was pulled away the 
pus beneath it showed the actinomyces grains to the naked eye. 

Actinomycosis may also involve the udder, the spermatic cord of 
castrated animals, vagina, and, when it becomes generalized, the 
brain, liver, spleen, and muscular tissue. 

Actinomycosis may in some cases be confounded with tuberculosis. 
The diagnosis does not offer any difficulties, since the presence of the 
actinomyces fungus at once removes any existing doubts. As has 
already been intimated, these grains, simulating sulphur balls, are 
visible to the naked eve, and their nature is readily determined with 
the aid of a microscope. 

The course of the disease is quite slow. As the tumors grow they 
may interfere with the natural functions of the body. According to 
their situation, mastication, rumination, or breathing may be inter- 
fered with, and in this way the animal may become emaciated. Acti- 
nomycosis of the jawbones leads to destruction of the teeth and 
impedes the movements necessary to chewing the food. Similarly, 
when the disease attacks the soft parts of the head obstructions may 
arise in the mouth by an inward growth of the tumor. If tumors 
exist in the pharynx they may partially obstruct the movements 
necessary to breathing, or close the air passages and cause partial 
suffocation. Actinomycosis of the tongue, in interfering with the 
many and varied movements of this important organ, is also a serious 
matter. There is no reason to suppose that the localized disease 
interferes with the general health in any other way than indirectly 
until internal organs, such as the lungs, become involved. 

A very small proportion of the cases may recover spontaneously, 
the tumors being encysted or undergoing calcification. In most cases 



452 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the disease yields readily to proper treatment, and about 75 per cent 
of the affected animals may be cured. 

Frevention. — The question as to how and where animals take this 
disease is one concerning which we are still in the stage of con- 
jecture, because we possess as yet very little information concerning 
the life history of the actinomyces itself. The quite unanimous view 
of all observers is that animals become infected from the food. The 
fungus is lodged upon the plants and in some way enters the tissues 
of the head, the lungs, and the digestive tract, where it sets up its 
peculiar activity. It is likewise generally believed that the fungus 
is, as it were, inoculated into the affected part. This inoculation is 
performed by the sharp and pointed parts of plants which penetrate 
the mucous membrane and carry with them the fungus. The disease 
is therefore inoculable rather than contagious. The mere presence 
of the diseased animal will not give rise to disease in healthy animals 
unless the actinomyces grains pass directly from the diseased into 
some wound or abrasion of the healthy or else drop upon the food 
which is consumed by the healthy. Not only are these views deduci- 
ble from clinical observation, but they have been proved by the posi- 
tive inoculation of calves and smaller animals with actinomyces. 
The danger therefore of the presence of actinomyces for healthy 
animals is a limited one. Nevertheless an animal affected with this 
disease should not be allowed to go at large or run with other ani- 
mals. If the fungus is being scattered by discharging growths we 
certainly can not state at this stage of our knowledge that other 
animals may not be infected by such distribution, and we must 
assume, until more positive information is at hand, that this actually 
occurs. 

It is, however, the opinion of the majority of authorities that when 
actinomycosis appears among a large number of animals they all 
contract it in the same way from the food. Much speculation has 
therefore arisen whether any particular plant or group of plants is 
the source of the infection and whether any sjjecial condition of the 
soil favors it. Very little positive information is at hand on these 
questions. It would be very desirable for those who live in localities 
where this disease is prevalent to make statistical and other observa- 
tions on the occurrence of the disease with reference to the season of 
the year, the kind of food, the nature of the soil (whether swampy or 
dr}', recently reclaimed or cultivated for a long time) upon which the 
animals are pastured or upon which the food is grown. 

It is highly probable that such investigations will lead to an under- 
standing of the source of the fungus and the means for checking 
the spread of the disease itself. Veterinarian Jensen, of Denmark, 
made some observations upon an extensive outbreak of actinomycosis 
a number of years ago, which led him to infer that the animals were 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLJ2. 453 

inoculated by eating barley straw harvested from pieces of gi'ound 
just reclaimed from the sea. '\Miile the animals remained unaft'eeted 
as long as they pastured on this ground or ate the hay obtained from 
it, they became diseased after eating the straw of cereals from the 
same territory. Others have found that cattle grazing upon low 
pastures along the banks of streams and subject to inundations are 
more prone to the disea,se. It has also been observed that food 
gathered from such grounds may give rise to the disease even after 
prolonged drying. Actinomycosis is not infrequent in southwestern 
cattle and is generally supposed to be the result of eating the prickly 
fruit of the cactus plant, causing wounds of the mucous membrane 
and subsequent infection with the parasite. Much additional infor- 
mation of a similar kind must be forthcoming before the source and 
manner of infection in this disease and its dependence upon external 
conditions will be knowui. It is not at all improbable that these may 
vary considerably from place to place. 

Treatment. — This has been until recently almost entirely surgical. 
WTien the tumors are external and attached to soft parts only, an 
early removal may lead to recovery. This, of course, can be under- 
taken only by a trained veterinarian, especially as the various parts 
of the head and neck contain important vessels, nerves, and ducts 
which should be injured as little as possible in any operation. Unless 
the tumor is completely removed it will reappear. Disease of the 
jawbones is at best a very serious matter, and treatment is likely to 
be of no avail. 

In March, 1892, an important contribution to our knowledge of 
this subject was made by M. Nocard, of the Alfort Veterinary School, 
in a communication to the French Central Society of Veterinary 
Medicine. He showed clearly that the actinomycosis of the tong-ue, 
a disease which appears to be quite common in Germany, and is there 
known as " wooden tongue," could be quickly and permanently cured 
by the administration of iodid of potassium. M. Nocard calls atten- 
tion to the success of M. Thomassen, of Utrecht, who recommended 
this treatment as long ago as 1885, and who has since treated more 
than 80 cases, all of which have been cured. A French veterinarian, 
M. Godbille, has treated a number of cases of actinomj^cosis in the 
tongue with the same remedy, all of w^hich have been cured. M. 
Nocard also gives details of a case which was cured by himself. 

All of the cases referred to were of actinomycosis of the tongue, 
and no one appears to have attempted the cure of actinomycosis of 
the jaw until this was undertaken by Dr. Norgaard, of the Bureau 
of Animal Industry. He selected a young steer in April, 1892, in 
fair condition, which had a tumor on the jaw measuring 15^ inches 
in circumference and from which a discharge had already been estab- 



454 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

lished. This animal was treated with iodid of potassium, and the 
result was a complete cure. 

The iodid of potassium is given in doses of 1^ to 2| drams once 
a day, dissolved in water, and administered as a drench. The dose 
should vary somewhat with the size of the animal and with the 
effects that are produced. If the dose is sufficiently large there ap- 
pear signs of iodism in the course of a week or 10 days. The skin 
becomes scurfy, there is weeping from the eyes, catarrh of the nose, 
and loss of appetite. When these symptoms appear the medicine may 
be suspended for a few days and afterwards resumed in the same 
dose. The cure requires from three to six weeks' treatment. Some 
animals do not improve under treatment with iodid of potassium, and 
these are generally the ones which show no signs of iodism. 

If there is no sign of improvement after the animals have been 
treated four or five weeks, and the medicine has been given in as 
large doses as appear desirable, it is an indication that the particular 
animal is not susceptible to the curative effects of the drug, and the 
treatment may therefore be abandoned. 

It is not, however, advisable to administer iodid of potassium to 
milch cows, as it will considerably reduce the milk secretion or stop it 
altogether. Furthermore, a great part of the drug is excreted through 
the milk, making the milk unfit for use. It should not be given to 
animals in advanced pregnancy, as there is danger of producing 
abortion. 

The best results are obtained by pushing the drug until you see its 
effect. The many tests to which this treatment has been subjected 
have proved with few exceptions its specific curative value. In addi- 
tion to this the tumor should be painted externally with the tincture 
of iodin or LugoPs solution, or one of these solutions should be in- 
jected subcutaneously into the tumor. 

M. Godbille has given as much as 4 drams of potassium iodid in 
one day to a steer, decreasing the dose one-fourth dram each day until 
the dose was 1;^ dramSj which was maintained until the twelfth day 
of treatment, when the steer appeared entirely cured. 

M. Nocard gave the first day 1^ drams in one dose to a cow; the 
second and succeeding days a dose of 1 dram in the morning and 
evening, in each case before feeding. This treatment was continued 
for 10 days, when the animal was cured. 

Actinomycosis and the puhlic health. — The interest which is shown 
concerning this cattle disease is largely due to the fact that the same 
disease attacks human beings. Its slow progress, its tendency to 
remain restricted to certain localities, and the absence of any directly 
contagious properties have thus far not aroused any anxiety in other 
countries as to its influence on the cattle industry, not even to the 
point of placing it among the infectious diseases of which statistics 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 455 

are annually published. Its possible bearing on public health has, 
however, given this disease a place in the public mind which it hardly 
deserves. 

It has already been stated that the actinomyoes fungus found in 
human disease is considered by authorities the same as that occurring 
in bovine affections. It is therefore of interest to conclude this article 
with, a brief discussion of the disease in man and its relation to acti- 
nomycosis in cattle. 

In man the location of the disease process corresponds fairly well 
with that in cattle. The majority of cases which have been reported 
in different parts of the world — and they are now quite numerous — 
indicate disease of the face. The skin, tongue, or the jawbones may 
become affected, and by a very slow process it may extend downward 
upon the neck and even into the cavity of the chest. In many cases 
the teeth have been found in a state of more or less advanced decay 
and ulceration. In a few cases disease of the lungs was observed 
without coexisting disease of the bones or soft parts of the head. In 
such cases the fungus must have been inhaled. The disease of the 
lungs after a time extends upon the chest wall. Here it may corrode 
the i-ibs and work its way through the muscles and the skin. An 
abscess is thus formed discharging pus containing actinomyces grains. 
Disease of the digestive organs caused by this fungus has also been 
observed in a few instances. 

Granting the identity of the disease in man and cattle, the question 
has been raised whether cattle are responsible for the disease in man. 
Any transmission of the infectious agent may be conceived of as 
taJving place during the life of the animal and after slaughter from 
the meat. That human beings have contracted actinomycosis by 
coming in contact with diseased cattle is not shown by the cases that 
have hitherto been reported, for the occupations of most of the 
patients did not bring them into any relation whatever with cattle. 
While the possibility of such direct transmission is not denied, never- 
theless it must be considered extremely rare. Practically the same 
position is maintained at present by most authorities as regards the 
transmission of the disease to man by eating meat. Israel, who has 
studied this question carefully, found the disease in Jews who never 
ate pork^ and who likewise were protected by the rigorous meat in- 
spection practiced by their sect from bovine actinomycosis. Further- 
more, it must be borne in mind that actinomycosis is a local diseavSe, 
causing great destruction of tissue where the fungus multiplies, but 
very rarely becoming generally disseminated over the body from the 
original disease focus. The fungus is found only in places where the 
disease process is manifest to the eye or becomes so in a very short 
time after the lodgment of the fungus. Only the gi-eatest negligence 



1 Hogs are subject to actinomycosis. 



ACTINOMYCOSIS. 

[Description of plates.] 

Plate XLT. Fig. 1 Actinomycosis of ttie jaw. The lower jawbone has been 
extensively eaten away by the disease. Fig. 2. Actinomyces fungus from a 
tumor of the jawbone in cattle, magnifiec 550 times. Both figures are taken 
from Johne's Encyklopjidie d. gesammt. TJiierheilkunde. 

Plate XLII. Actinomycosis of the luni.s. Fig. 1. Transverse section of the 
ventral lobe of the right lung, from a case studied in the laboratory. The 
yellowish dots repi'esent the places where the actinomyces fungus is lodged. 
The larger yellowish patches are produced by the confluence of a number of 
isolated centers. The entire lobe is of a dark flesh-red color, due to collapse 
and bronchopneumonia. Fig. 2. The cut surface of a portion of the principal 
lobe of the same lung, showing the recent invasion of antinomycosis from the 
other lobe: a, large air tube; &, artery; c, a pneumonic lobule; d, lobule con- 
taining minute yellowish dots. In these the actinomyces fungus is lodged. 
Fig. 3. Cut surface of a small portion of another lung, showing a few lobules a. 
The fungus is sprinkled throughout the lung tissue in the form of yellowish 
grains, as shown in the illustration. The pleural covering of the lung tissue 
is shown in profile above. 

Plate XLIII. Actinomycosis of the jaw (lumpy jaw, etc.), reduced one-half. 
(From Johne, in Encyklopiidie d. gesammt. Thierheilkunde.) The lower jaw is 
sawn through transversely, i. e., from right to left, and shows the disease 
within the jawbone itself; a, within the mouth, showing the papillfe on the 
mucous membrane of the cheek ; &, front view of a molar tooth ; c, the skin 
covering the lower surface of the jawbone; d, the jawbone hollowed out and 
enlarged by the forimition of cavities within it, which are filled with the soft 
growth of the actinomycotic tumor. The section makes it appear as if the bone 
were broken into fragments and these forced apart ; e, a portion of the tumor 
which has broken through the bone and the skin and appears as a tumor on 
the cheek. The little roundish masses represent the granulomata (minute 
tumors) in which the fungus vegetates. 

456 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate xli. 



/m^ 




/m 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xlii 





^'^ 




JULIUS BIEN CO, I 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XLIII. 




J/ft/yue^i ■ //^r. 



Actinomycosis of the Jaw. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 457 

-would allow the actually diseased parts to be sold and consumed. 
Finally, this parasite, like all others, would be destroyed in the proc- 
ess of cooking. The majority of authorities thus do not believe that 
actinomycosis in man is directly traceable to the disease in animals, 
but are of the opinion that both man and animals are infected from 
a third source. This source has already been discussed above. How 
far these views may be modified by further and more telling investi- 
gations of the parasitic fungus itself no one can predict. There are 
still wide gaps in our knowledge, and the above presentation simply 
summarizes the prevailing views, from which there are, of course, dis- 
senters. An attempt to give the views of both sides on this question 
would necessitate the simimarizing and impartial discussion of all 
the experiments thus far made — a task entirely beyond the scope of 
the present work. 

Whether an animal affected with actinomycosis should be used for 
human food after all diseased organs and tissues have been thoroughly 
I'emoved is a question the answer to which depends on a variety of 
circumstances. Among these may be mentioned the thoroughness 
of the meat inspection itself, which allows no really diseased animal 
to pass muster; the extent of the disease, and the general condition 
of the animal affected. 

If the tumors in the carcass are small, and not generalized, the 
affected parts should be destroyed and the remainder may be used 
for human food. When, however, the disease is sufficiently developed 
to cause large swellings and abscesses which are freely discharging 
pus into the alimentary canal, and when the general health of the 
animal is affected, the carcaSvS should be condemned, as the meat is 
not in a proper condition for food. The carcass should also be de- 
stroyed when the lungs or internal lymphatic glands are affected, or 
when there are a large number of centers of disease scattered through- 
out the body. 

ANTHRAX. 

Anthrax, or charbon, may be defined as an infectious disease which 
is caused by specific bacteria, known as anthrax bacilli, and which is 
more or less restricted by conditions of soil and moisture to definite 
geographical localities. While it is chiefly limited to cattle and sheep, 
it may be transmitted to goats, horses, cats, and certain kinds of 
game. Smaller animals, such as mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs, 
speedily succumb to inoculation. Dogs and hogs are slightly sus- 
ceptible, while fowls are practically immune. The variety of domes- 
ticated animals which it may attack renders it one of the most dreaded 
scourges of animal life. It may even attack man. Of this more will 
be stated further on. 

Cause. — The cause of anthrax is a microscopic organism known as 
the anthrax bacillus. (See PI. XXIX, fig. 7.) In form it is cylindri- 



458 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

cal or rodlike, measuring goV^ to ^^Vtt i^^ch in length and sj^s-^ inch, 
in diameter. Like all bacteria, these rodlike bodies have the power of 
indefinite multiplication, and in the bodies of infected animals they 
produce death by rapidly increasing in numbers and producing sub- 
stances which poison the body. In the blood they multiply in num- 
ber by becoming elongated and then dividing into two, each new 
organism continuing the same process indefinitely. Outside of the 
body, however, they multiply in a different way when under condi- 
tions unfavorable to growth. Oval bodies, which are called spores, 
appear within the rods, and remain alive and capable of germina- 
tion after years of drying. They also resist heat to a remarkable 
degree, so that boiling water is necessary to destroy them. The 
bacilli themselves, on the other hand, show only very little resistance 
to heat and drying. It has long been known that the anthrax virus 
thrives best under certain conditions of the soil and on territories 
subject to floods and inundations. The particular kinds of soil 
upon which the disease is observed are black, loose, warm, humous 
soils, also those containing lime, marl, and clay, finally peaty, swampy 
soils resting upon strata which hold the water, or, in other words, are 
impervious. Hence fields containing stagnant pools may be the source 
of infection. The infection may be limited to certain faiins, or even 
to restricted areas on such farms. Even in the Alps, over 3,000 feet 
above sea level, where such conditions prevail in secluded valleys, 
anthrax persists among herds. 

Aside from these limitations to specific conditions of the soil, 
anthrax is a disease of world-wide distribution. It exists in most 
countries of Europe, in Asia, Africa, Australia, and in our own 
countn^ in the lower Mississippi Valley, the Gulf States, and in some 
of the Eastern and Western States. It seems to be gradually spread- 
ing in this country and occurs in new districts every year. 

Meteorological conditions also have an important share in deter- 
mining the severity of the disease. On those tracts subject to inun- 
dations in spring a very hot, dry summer is apt to cause a severe 
outbreak. The relation which the bacillus bears to these conditions 
is not positively known. It may be that during and immediately 
after inundations or in stagnant water the bacilli find enough nourish- 
ment in the water here and there to multiply and produce an abundant 
crop of spores, which are subsequently carried, in a dry condition, by 
the winds during the period of drought and disseminated over the 
vegetation. Animals feeding upon this vegetation may contract the 
disease if the spores germinate in the body. 

Another source of the virus, and one regarded by many authorities 
as perhaps the most important, is the body of an animal which has 
died of anthrax. It will be remembered that in such bodies the 
anthrax bacilli are present in enormous numbers, and wherever blood 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 459 

or other body fluids are exposed to the air on the surface of the carcass 
there the formation of spores will go on in the warm season of the 
year with great rapidity. It will thus be readily understood how this 
disease may become stationary in a given locality and appear year 
after year and even grow in severity if the carcasses of animals which 
have succumbed to it are not properly disposed of. These should be 
buried deeply, so that spore formation may be prevented and no ani- 
mal have access to them. By exercising this precaution the disease 
will not be disseminated by flies and other insect pests. 

We have thus two agents at work in maintaining the disease in any 
locality — the soil and meteorological conditions and the carcasses of 
animals that have died of the disease. Besides these dangers, which 
are of immediate consequence to cattle on pastures, the virus may be 
carried from place to place in hides, hair, wool, hoofs, and horns, 
and it may be stored in the hay or other fodder from the infected 
fields and cause an outbreak among stabled animals feeding upon it 
in winter. In this manner the affection has been introduced into 
far distant localities. 

How cattle are infected. — We have seen above that the spores of 
the anthrax bacilli, which correspond in their functions to the seeds 
of higher plants and which are the elements that resist the unfavor- 
able conditions in the soil, air, and water longest, are the chief agents 
of infection. They may be taken into the body with the food and 
produce disease which begins in the intestinal tract; or they may 
come in contact with scratches, bites, or other wounds of the skin, 
mouth, and tongue, and produce in these situations swellings or 
carbuncles. From such swellings the bacilli penetrate into the blood 
and produce a general disease. 

It has likewise been claimed that the disease may be transmitted by 
various kinds of insects which carry the bacilli from the sick and 
inoculate the healthy as they pierce the skin. When infection of the 
blood takes place from the intestines the carbuncles may be absent. 
It has already been stated that since the anthrax spores live for sev- 
eral years, the disease may be contracted in winter from food gath- 
ered on pemnanently infected fields. 

The disease may appear sporadically, i. e., only one or several 
animals may be infected while the rest of the herd remain well, or it 
may appear as an epizootic attacking a large number at about the 
same time. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms in cattle vary considerably, according 
as the disease begins in the skin, in the lungs, or in the intestines. 
They depend also on the severity of the attack. Thus we may have 
what is called anthrajc peracutus or apoplectiform, when the animal 
dies very suddenly as if from apoplexy. Such cases usually occur in 
the beginning of an outbreak. The animal, without having shown 



460 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

any signs of disease, suddenly drops down in the pasture and dies in 
convulsions, or an animal apparently well at night is found dead in 
the morning. 

The second type {anthrax aeutis)^ without any external swellings, 
is the one most commonly observed in cattle. The disease begins Avith 
a high fever. The temperature may reach 106° to 107° F. The pulse 
beats from 80 to 100 per minute. Feeding and rumination are sus- 
pended. Chills and muscular tremors may appear and the skin 
show uneven temperature. The ears and base of the horns are cold, 
the coat staring. The animals are dull and stupid and manifest great 
weakness. 

To these symptoms others are added in the course of the disease. 
The dullness may give way to great uneasiness, champing of the 
jaws, spasms of the limbs, kicking and pawing the ground. The 
breathing may become labored. The nostrils then dilate, the mouth 
is open, the head raised, and all muscles of the chest are strained 
during breathing, while the visible mucous membranes (nose, mouth, 
rectum, and vagina) become bluish. If the disease has started in 
the bowels, there is much pain, as shown by the moaning of the 
animal ; the discharges, at first firm, become softer and covered with 
serum, mucus, and blood. 

As the disease approaches the fatal termination the weakness of 
the animal increases. It leans against supports or lies down. Blood 
vessels may rupture and give rise to spots of blood on the various 
mucous membranes and bloody discharges from nose, mouth, rectum, 
and vagina. The urine not infrequently contains blood (red water). 
Death ensues within one or two days. 

A third type of the disease {anthrax suhacutus) includes those 
cases in which the disease is more prolonged. It may last from three 
to seven days and terminate fatally or end in recovery. In this type, 
which is rarely observed, the symptoms are practically as described 
in the acute form, only less marked. 

In connection with these types of intestinal anthrax, swellings may 
appear under the skin in different parts of the body, or the disease 
may start from such a swelling, caused by the inoculation of anthrax 
spores in one of the several different ways already described. If the 
disease begins in the skin it agrees in general with the subacute form 
in prolonged duration, and it may occasionally terminate in recovery 
if the swellings are thoroughly incised and treated. 

Lesions. — These swellings appear as edemas and carbuncles. The 
former are doughy tumors of a more or less flattish form passing 
gradually into the surrounding healthy tissue. They are situated as 
a rule beneath the skin in the fatty layer, and the skin itself is at 
first of healthy appearance, so that they are often overlooked, espe- 
cially when covered with a good coat of hair. Wlien they are cut 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 461 

open they are found to consist of a peculiar jellylike mass of a yel- 
lowish color and more or less stained with blood. The carbuncles are 
firm, hot, tender swellings, which later become cool and painless and 
undergo mortification. The edemas and carbuncles may also appear 
in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, in the tongue, and in the rectum. 

The bodies of cattle which have died of anthrax soon lose their 
rigidity and become, bloated, because decomposition sets in very 
rapidly. From the mouth, nose, and anus blood-stained fluid flows in 
small quantities. When such carcasses are opened and examined, it 
will be found that nearly all organs are sprinkled with spots of blood 
or extravasations of various sizes. The spleen is enlarged from two 
to five tim.es, the pulp blackish and soft and occasionally disinte- 
grated. The blood is of tarry consistency, not firmly coagulated, and 
blackish in color. In the abdomen, the thoracic cavity, and in the 
pericardium, or bag surrounding the heart, more or less blood-stained 
fluid is present. In addition to these characteristic signs, the car- 
buncles and swellings under the skin, already described, will aid in 
determining the true nature of the disease. The most reliable method 
of diagnosis is the examination of the blood and tissues for anthrax 
bacilli. This requires a trained bacteriologist. The fatal cases of 
anthrax number from 70 to 90 per cent, and are usually more numer- 
ous at the first outbreak of the disease. 

Differential diagnosis. — The diagnosis from blackleg may be made 
by noting the subcutaneous sw^ellings which appear upon the patient. 
Those of blackleg are found to crackle under pressure with the finger, 
owing to the presence of gas within the tissues, while the tumors of 
anthrax, being due to the presence of serum, are entirely free from 
this quality and have a somewhat doughy consistence. The tumors 
of blackleg usually locate on the shoulder or thigh and are not found 
so frequently about the neck and side of the body as are the swellings 
of anthrax. The blood of animals dead of blackleg is normal, and 
the spleen does not appear swollen or darkened, as in animals affected 
with anthrax. The chief differences between anthrax and Texas 
fever are that the course of the former is more acute and the blood of 
the animal is dark and of a tarlike consistence, while in the case of 
Texas fever it will be found thinner than normal. The presence of 
Texas fever ticks on the cattle would also lead one to suspect Texas 
fever in regions where cattle are not immune from this disease. 

Treatment. — This is as a rule ineffectual and useless, excepting per- 
haps in cases which originate from external wounds. The swellings 
should be opened freely by long incisions with a sharp knife and 
washed several times daily with carbolic acid solution (1 ounce to a 
quart of water). Care should be taken to disinfect thoroughly any 
fluid discharge that may follow such incision. When suppuration 



462 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

has set in, the treatment recommended in the chapter on wounds 
should be carried out. 

Prevention. — Since treatment is of little or no avail in this disease, 
prevention is the most important subject demanding consideration. 
Tho various means to be suggCvSted may be brought under two heads: 
(1) The surroundings of the animal, and (2) preventive inoculation. 

(1) Surroundings. — What has already been stated of those con- 
ditions of the pastures Avhich are favorable to anthrax will suggest 
to most minds, after a little thought, some of the preventive measures 
which may be of service in reducing losses in anthrax localities. All 
that conduces to a better state of the soil should be attempted. The 
State or Nation should do its share in preventing frequent inunda- 
tions, by appropriate engineering. If pools of stagnant water exist 
in the pastures, or if any particular portions are known by experience 
to give rise to anthrax, they should be fenced off. Efforts should 
likewise be made toward the proper draining of swamp lands fre- 
quented by cattle. Sometimes it has been found desirable to abandon 
for a season any infected and dangerous pastures. This remedy can 
not be carried out by most farmers, and it is liable to extend the 
infected territory. In some instances withdrawal of cattle from 
pastures entirely and feeding them in stables is said to have reduced 
the losses. 

It is of the utmost importance that carcasses of animals which have 
died of anthrax should be properly disposed of, since every portion 
of such animal contains the bacilli, ready to form spores when ex- 
posed to the air. Perhaps the simplest means is to bury the carcasses 
deep, where they can not be exposed by dogs or wild animals. It 
may be necessary to bury them on the pasture, but it is better to 
remove them to places not frequented by susceptible animals and to a 
point where drainage from the graves can not infect any water supply. 

If they are moved some distance it must be borne in mind that the 
ground and all objects which have come in contact with the carcass 
should be disinfected. This is best accomplished with chlorid of 
lime. For washing utensils, etc., a 5 per cent solution may be pre- 
pared by adding 3 ounces to 2 quarts of water. This should be 
prepared fresh from the powder, and it is but little trouble to have a 
small tin measure of known capacity to dip out the powder, to be 
added to the water whenever necessary. The carcass and the ground 
should be sprinkled with powdered chlorid, or, if this be not at hand, 
an abundance of ordinary unslaked lime should be used in its place. 

The removal of carcasses to rendering establishments is always 
fraught with danger, unless those who handle them are thoroughly 
aware of the danger of scattering the virus by careless handling in 
wagons which are not tight. As a rule, the persons in charge of such 
transfer have no training for this important work, so that deep burial 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 463 

is to be preferred. Burning large carcasses is not always feasible. 
It is, however, the most certain means of destroying infectious mate- 
rial of any kind, and should be resorted to whenever practicable and 
economical. All carcasses, whether buried, rendered, or burned, 
should be disposed of without being opened. Wlien stables have 
become infected they should be thoroughly cleaned out, and the solu- 
tion of chlorid of lime freely applied on floors and woodwork. The 
feed should be carefully protected from contamination with the 
manure or other discharges from the sick. 

(2) Preventive inoculation. — One of the most important dis- 
coveries in connection with the disease was made by Louis Pasteur 
in 1881, and consisted in the new principle of producing immunity 
b}' the inoculation of weakened cultures of the bacillus causing the 
disease. This method has been quite extensively adopted in France, 
and to some extent in other European countries, and in the United 
States. The fluid used for inoculation consists of bouillon in which 
modified anthrax bacilli have multiplied and are present in large 
numbers. The bacilli have been modified by heat so that they have 
lost to a certain degree their original virulence. Two vaccines are 
prepared. The first or weaker, for the first inoculation, is obtained 
by subjecting the bacilli to the attenuating effects of heat for a longer 
period of time than is the case with the second, or stronger vaccine, 
for a second inoculation some 12 days later. 

These vaccines have been used for cattle and sheep. Their power 
to prevent a subsequent attack of anthrax has been the subject of 
controversy ever since their use began. The French claim that the 
vaccines are successful in protecting cattle and sheep, and that the 
losses from anthrax in France have been much reduced by their per- 
sistent application. According to other observers there are several 
difficulties inherent in the practical application of anthrax vaccina- 
tion. Among these may be mentioned the variable degree of attenua- 
tion of different tubes of the vaccine and the varying susceptibility 
of the animals to be inoculated. Nevertheless, the use of this vaccine 
is increasing, and has reduced the mortality in the affected districts 
from an average of 10 per cent with sheep, to less than 1 per cent, 
and from 5 per cent with cattle, to less than one-half of 1 per cent. 

It is very important to call attention to the possibility of dis- 
tributing anthrax by this method of protective inoculation, since the 
bacilli themselves are present in the culture liquid. It is true that 
they have been modified and weakened by the process adopted by 
Pasteur, but it is not impossible that such modified virus may regain 
its original virulence after it has been scattered broadcast by the 
inoculation of large herds. No vaccination should, therefore, be 
permitted in localities free from anthrax. It is also obviously iin- 



464 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

safe to have such vaccine injected by a lajnnan; instead, it should be 
handled only by a competent veterinarian. 

Anthrax is an entirely different disease from blackleg, and there- 
fore blackleg vaccine does not act as a preventive against anthrax. 

ANTHRAX IN MAN (MALIGNANT PUSTULE, OR CARBUNCLE). 

Anthrax maj^ be transmitted to man in handling the carcassec and 
hides of animals which have succumbed to the disease. The infec- 
tion usually takes place through some abrasion or slight wound of 
the skin into which the anthrax spores, or bacilli, find their way. 
The point of inoculation appears at first as a dark point or patch, 
compared bv some writei*s to the sting of a flea. After a few hours 
this is changed into a reddened pimple, which bears on its summit, 
usually around a hair, a yellowisa blister, or vesicle, which later on 
becomes reci or bluish in color. The burning sensation in this stage 
is very great. Later on this pimple enlarges, its center becojnes dry, 
gangrenous, and is surrounded by an elevated discolored swelling. 
The center becomes drier and more leather like, and sinks in as the 
whole increases in size. The skin around this swelling, or carbuncle, 
is stained yellow or bluish, and is not infrequently swollen and 
doughy to the touch. The carbuncle itself rarely grows larger than 
a pea or a small nut, and is but slightly painful. 

Anthrax swellings, or edemas, already described as occurring in 
cattle, may also be found in man, and they are at times so extensive 
as to produce distortion in the appearance of the part of the body 
on which they are located. The color of the skin over these swellings 
varies according to the situation and thickness of the skin and the 
stage of the disease, and may be white, red, bluish, or blackish. 

As these carbuncles and swellings may lead, sooner or later, to an 
infection of the entire body, and thus be fatal, surgical assistance 
should at once be called if there is well-grounded suspicion that any 
swellings resembling those described above have been due to inocu- 
lation with anthrax virus. Inasmuch as physicians differ as to treat- 
ment of such accidents in man, it would be out of place to make any 
suggestions in this connection. 

To show that the transmission of anthrax to man is not so very 
uncommon, we take the following figures from the report of the Ger- 
man Government for 1890: One hundred and eleven cases were 
brought to the notice of the authorities, of which 11 terminated 
fatally. The largest number of inoculations were due to the slaugh- 
tering, opening, and skinning of animals affected with anthrax. 
Hence the butchers suffered most extensively. Of the 111 thus 
affected, 36 belonged to this craft. 

In addition to anthrax of the skin (known as malignant pustule), 
human beings are subject, though very rarely, to the disease of the 
lungs and the digestive organs. In the former case the spores are 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 465 

inhaled by workmen in establisliments in which wool, hides, and rags 
are worked over, and it is therefore known as wool-sorter's disease. 
In the latter case the disease is contracted by eating the flesh of dis- 
eased animals which has not been thoroughly cooked. These forms 
of the disease are more fatal than those in which the disease starts 
from the skin. 

BLACKKEG.^ 

Blackleg, blackquarter, quarter-ill. symptomatic anthrax, ^harhon 
symptomatique of the French, Rauschhrand of the Germans, is a 
rapidly fatal infectious disease of young cattle, associated with exter- 
nal swellings which emit a crackling sound Avhen handled. This dis- 
ease was formerly regarded identical with anthrax, but investigations 
carried out by various scientists in recent times have definitely proved 
the entire dissimilarity of the two affections, both from a clinical and 
causal standpoint. The disease is produced by a specific bacillus, 
readily distinguishable from that causing anthrax. (PI. XXIX, 
fig. 4.) Cattle between 6 months and 2 years of age are the most 
susceptible. Sucking calves imder 6 months are rarely attacked, nor 
are they as susceptible to inoculation as older animals. Cattle over 2 
"years of age may become affected, but such cases are infrequent. 
Sheep and goats may also contract the disease, but man. horses, hogs, 
dogs, cats, and fowls appear to be immune. 

Like anthrax, blackleg is more or less restricted to definite locali- 
ties. There are certain pastures upon which the disease regularly 
appears in the summer and fall of the year. As to any peculiarities 
of the soil nothing is definitely known. Some authors are inclined 
to regard moist, undrained, and swampy pastures favorable to this 
disease, but these theories will hardly hold, as it is found in all kinds 
of soils, in all altitudes, at all seasons of the year, and under various 
climatic conditions. It occurs in this country from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific and from Mexico to Canada, but it is more prevalent in 
the Western and Southwestern States. In Europe it exists in France, 
various parts of Germany, in Belgivim. Norway, Denmark. Italy, and 
in the Alps of Switzerland. In Africa it occurs in Algeria and to 
some extent in Natal and bordering countries. In South America it 
prevails quite extensively throughout Argentina. Cattle in Cuba 
and Australia also suffer. 

The cause of the disease is a bacillus resembling in some minor 
respects the anthrax bacillus and differing but little from it in size. 
It also possesses the power of forming within itself a spore. In 
Plate XXIX. figure 4. this is represented as an uncolored spot located 
in one end of the rod. which is enlarged so that the rod itself appears 
more or less club-shaped. Wliat has already been stated concerning 

1 For detailed information regarding blackleg and tbe free distribution of blackleg 
vaccine, write to thi^ department for Bureau of .inimal Industry Circulars Nos. 23 and 31. 

16923°— 12 30 



466 msEiSES op cattle. 

the significance of the spore of the anthrax bacillus applies equally 
well to these bodies. They resist destructive agents for a consider- 
able length of time, and may still proa\.^e disease when inoculated 
after several years of drying. This la^t nic.y uccount for the occa- 
sional appearance of blackleg in s' vL.ie,s. in order lO meet the require- 
ments for the development cf tiit spores, which takes place only in 
the absence of the atmosphere, it is neces-sary that the wound be very 
small and deep enough to penetrate the subcutaneous tissue. 

Several observers have found this organism in the mud of swamps. 
By placing a little of this mud under the skin the disease has been 
called forth. 

Since the disease may be produced by placing under the skin 
material containing the specific bacilli and spores, it has been as- 
sumed that cattle contract the disease through wounds, principally 
of the skin, or very rarely of the mouth, tongue, and throat. Slight 
wounds into which the virus may find access may be caused by barbed 
wire, stubbles, thorns, briers, grass burs, and sharp or pointed parts 
of food. 

The symptoms of blackleg may be either of a general or a local 
nature, though mo e frequently of the latter. The general symptoms 
are very much like those belonging to other acute infectious or bac- 
terial diseases. They begin from one to three days after the infec- 
tion has taken place with loss of appetite and of rumination, with 
dullness and debility, and a high fever. The temperature may rise to 
107° F. To these may be added lameness or stiffness of one or more 
limbs, due to the tumor or swelling quite invariably accompanying 
the disease. After a period of disease lasting from one to three days 
the affected animal almost always succumbs. Death is preceded by 
increasing weakness, difficult breathing, and occasional attacks of 
violent convulsions. 

The most important characteristic of this disease is the appear- 
ance of a tumor or swelling under the skin of the affected animal a 
few hours after the setting in of the constitutional symptoms de- 
scribed above. In some cases it may appear first. This tumor may be 
located on the thighs (h.uce " blackleg," " black quarter "), the neck, 
the shoulder, the breast, the flanjL j, or the rump ; never below the car- 
pal (or knee) r.r'l the hook joint. It more rarely appears in the throat 
and at the bar? .>f the tongue. The tumor, at first small and painful, 
spreads very 'i "idly both in depth and extent. "V^Hien it is stroked 
or handled a ^ e^uliar crackling sound is heard under the skin. 
This is due to a collection of gas formed by the bacilli as they 
multiply. At this stage the skin becomes dry, parclmaent-like, and 
cool to the touch in the center of the tumor. If the swelling is cut 
into, a frothj% dark-red, rather disagreeably smelling fluid is dis- 
chiu-ged. The animal manifests little or no pain during the operation. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xliv 




Haines del 



UtIUS BIEN CO.N.' 



Section of Muscle from a Blackleg swelling. 

a, Gas Bubbles. 

b, Cavities due to Gas formation. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xlv 




:if 



* 



..r 



f 4Pf 




Haines del, 



JULIUS 81EN CO.N.Y 



Necrotic Stomatitis ( Calf Diphtheria) 

WITH LESIONS INVOLVINGTONGUE AND ChEEK. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 467 

As it is frequently desirable to know whether the disease is anthrax 
or blackleg, a few of the most obvious post-mortem changes may 
here be cited. The characteristic tumor with its crackling sound 
when stroked has already been described. If after the death of the 
animal it be more thoroughly examined, it will be noted that the 
tissue under the skin is infiltrated with blood and yellowish, jellylike 
material and gas bubbles. The muscular tissue beneath the swelling 
may be brownish or black, shading into dark red. (PI. XLIV.) 
It is soft and easily torn and broken up. The muscle tissue is dis- 
tended with numerous smaller or larger gas-filled cavities, often to 
such an extent as to produce a resemblance to lung tissue. Upon 
incision it does not collapse perceptibly, as the gas cavities are not 
connected with each other. 

In the abdomen and the thorax bloodstained fluid is not infre- 
quently found, together with bloodstaining of the lining membrane 
of these cavities. Blood spots (or ecchymoses) are also found on 
the heart and lungs. The liver is congested, but the spleen is always 
normal. 

Differential diagnosis. — Among the features of this disease which 
distinguish it from anthrax may be mentioned the unchanged spleen 
and the ready clotting of the blood. It will be remembered that in 
anthrax the spleen (milt) is very much enlarged, the blood tarry, 
coagulating feebly. The anthrax carbuncles and swellings differ from 
the blackleg swellings in not containing gas, in being hard and solid, 
and in causing death less rapidly. 

It is difficult to distinguish between the swellings of blackleg and 
malignant edema, since they resemble each other very closely and 
both are distended with gas. Malignant edema, however, generally 
starts from a wound of considerable size ; it usually follows surgical 
operations, and does not result from the small abrasions and pricks 
to which animals are subjected in pastures. Inoculation experiments 
on guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens will also disclose the differences 
between the above three diseases, since all of these species are killed 
by the germ of malignant edema, only the first two species by the 
anthrax bacillus, while the guinea pigs alone will succumb to the 
blackleg infection. Hemorrhagic septicemia may be differentiated 
from blackleg by its affecting cattle of all ages, by the location of the 
swelling usually about the region of the throat, neck, and dewlap, 
by the soft, doughy character of these swellings without the presence 
of gas bubbles, and finally by the characteristic hemorrhages widely 
distributed throughout the body. Other means of diagnosis, which 
have reference to the specific bacilli, to the inoculable character of the 
virus upon small animals, and which are of decisive and final impor- 
tance, can be utilized only by the trained bacteriologist and veteri- 
narian. 



468 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Treatment. — In this disease remedies have thus far proved im- 
availing. Some writers recommend the use of certain drugs, which 
seem to have been beneficial in a few cases, but a thorough trial has 
shown them to be valueless. Others advise that the swelling be 
opened by deep and long incisions and a strong disinfectant, such as 
a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid, applied to the exposed parts, 
but this procedure can not be too strongly condemned. Since nearly 
all those attacked die in spite of every kind of treatment, and in view 
of the fact that the germs of the disease are scattered over the stables 
or pastures when these tumors are opened, thus becoming a source of 
danger to other cattle, it is obvious that such measures do more harm 
than good and should be put aside as dangerous. Bleeding, nerving, 
roweling. or setoning have likewise some adherents, but the evidence 
indicates that they have neither curative nor preventive value and 
therefore should be discarded for the method of vaccination which 
has been thoroughly tried out and proved to be efficacious in prevent- 
ing the disease. 

Precention. — The various means suggested under ''Anthrax "" to 
prevent the spread or recurrence of this disease are equally applicable 
to blackleg, and hence do not need to be repeated here in full. They 
consist of the removal of the animals from the infected pasture to a 
noninfected field, the draining of the swampy ground, the burial or 
burning of the carcasses to prevent the dissemination of the germs 
over vast areas through the agency of dogs, wolves, buzzards, and 
crows, the disinfection of the stables and the gi^ound where the ani- 
mals lay at the time of death, and, if possible, the destniction of the 
germs on the infected pastures. One of the most effective methods 
for freeing an infected pasture from blackleg is to allow the grass to 
grow up high, and, when sufficiently diy, to bum it off. One burn- 
ing off is not sufficient to redeem an infe<rted pasture, but the process 
should be repeated several 3'ears in succession. This method, how- 
ever, is in man}' instances impracticable, as few cattle owners can 
afford to practice it, and the only means left for the protection of the 
animals is vaccination. 

Inimainization hi/ vaechiation. — Three French vetei'inarians, Ai-lo- 
ing, Comevin, and Thomas, were the first to discover that cattle may 
be protected against blackleg by inoculation with virulent material 
obtained from animals which have died of this disease. Later they 
devised a method of inoculation with the attenuated or weakened 
blackleg spoi'es Avhich produced immunity from natural or artificial 
inoculation of virulent blackleg germs. Their method has undergone 
various modifications both in regard to the manufacture of the vac- 
cine and in the mode of its application. Kitt, a German scientist, 
modified the method so that but one inoculation of the vaccine was 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTL.E. 469 

required instead of two, as was the case with that made by the French 
investigators. The vaccine prepared and distributed by the Bureau 
of Animal Industry combines the principle of Arloing, Conievin, and 
Thomas, and the modification of Kitt. 

By vaccination we understand the injection into the system of a 
minute amount of attenuated — ^that is, artificially weakened — ^black- 
leg virus. This virus is- obtained from animals which have died 
from blackleg, by securing the affected muscles, cutting them into 
strips, and drying them in the air. When they are perfectly dry they 
are pulverized and mixed with water to form a paste, smeared in a 
thin layer on flat dishes, placed in an oven, and heated for six hours 
at a temperature close to that of boiling water. The paste is then 
transformed into a hard crust, which is pulverized and sifted and 
distributed in packages containing either 10 or 25 doses. This con- 
stitutes the vaccine, the strength of which is thoroughly tested on 
experiment animals before it is distributed among the cattle owners. 
This vaccine, which is in the fonn of a brownish dry powder, is 
mixed with definite quantities of sterile water, filtered, and the fil- 
trate injected by means of a hypodermic syringe under the skin in 
front of the shoulder of the animal to be vaccinated. The inocula- 
tion is usually followed by insignificant symptoms. In a few cases 
there is a slight rise of temperature, and by close observation a 
minute swelling may be noted at the point of inoculation. The im- 
munity conferred in this way may last for 18 months, but animals 
vaccinated before they are 6 months' old and those in badly infected 
districts sliould be re vaccina ted before the following blackleg season. 

The effect of the vaccine prepared by this bureau in preventing 
outbreaks of the disease and in immediately abating outbreaks 
already in progress has been highly satisfactory, and it is not to 
be doubted that thousands of young cattle have been saved to the stock 
owners during the thirteen and a half years in which the vaccine has 
been distributed. More than 16,000,000 doses have been sent out dur- 
ing this period, and from reports received it is safe to conclude that 
more than one-half of this quantity has actually been injected, 
whereby the percentage of loss from blackleg has been reduced from 
10, 15, or 20 per cent, which annually occurred before using, to less 
than 1 per cent per annum. With these figures before us it is plain 
that the general introduction of preventive vaccination must be of 
material benefit to the cattle raisers in the infected districts. More- 
over, there is every reason to believe that with the continued use of 
blackleg vaccine in all districts where the disease is known to occur 
and an earnest effort on the part of the stock owners to prevent the 
reinfection of their pastures by following the directions given, black- 
leg may be kept in check and gradually eradicated. 



470 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

NECROTIC STOMATITIS (CALF DIPHTHERIA). 

Necrotic stomatitis is an acute, specific, highly contagious inflam- 
mation of the mouth occurring in young cattle, and characterized 
locally by the formation of ulcers and caseo-necrotic patches and by 
constitutional symptoms, chiefly toxic. 

This disease has also been termed calf diphtheria, gangrenous 
stomatitis, ulcerative stomatitis, malignant stomatitis, tubercular 
stomatitis, and diphtheric patches of the oral mucous membrane. 

Histoi^j. — During the last few years farmers and cattlemen in this 
country, especially in Colorado, Texas, and South Dakota, have 
increasingly noted the occurrence of enzootics of " sore mouth " 
among the young animals of their herds. Instead of healing, like the 
usual forms, of themselves, these cases, if untreated, die. Careful 
study of some of them has resulted in their identification with cases 
reported in 1877 by Dammann, from the shore of the Baltic ; in 1878 
by Blazekowic, in Slavonia; in 1879 by VoUers, in Holstein; in 
1880 by Lenglen, in France; in 1881 by Macgillivray, in England, 
and in 1884 by Loffler, who isolated and described the microorgan- 
ism which produces the disease. Bang obtained this organism from 
the diphtheritic lesions of calves in 1890, and Kitt likewise recov- 
ered the bacillus from similar lesions of the larynx and pharynx 
of calves and pigs in 1893. 

Etiology. — The cause of necrotic stomatitis, as demonstrated by 
Loffler and since confirmed by other investigators, is Bacillus necro'ph- 
orus^ often spoken of as the bacillus of necrosis. This organism 
varies in form from a coccoid rod to long, wavy filaments, which may 
reach a length of 100 (jl ; the width varies from 0.75 [x to 1 [x. Hence 
it is described as polymorphic. It does not stain by Gram, but takes 
the ordinary anilin dyes, often presenting, especially the longer 
forms, a beaded appearance. A characteristic of the organism, of 
great moment when we come to treatment, is that it grows only in the 
absence of oxygen, from which fact is is described as an obligate 
anaerobe. 

Very few organisms exhibit a wider range of pathogenesis. Ac- 
cording to clinical observation up to the present time, Bacilkis 
'iiecrofhoTus is pathogenic for cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, reindeer, 
kangaroos, antelope, and rabbits. Experimentally it has been proved 
pathogenic for rabbits and white mice. The dog, cat, guinea pig, 
pigeon, and chicken ap]^)ear to be absolutely umnune. It is not patho- 
genic for man. 

The importance of this bacillus is far beyond even its relation to 
necrotic stomatitis. Besides this disease it has been demonstrated as 
the causative factor in foot rot, multiple liver abscesses, disseminated 
liver necrosis, embolic necrosis of the lungs, necrosis of the heart, in 
cattle; gangrenous pox of the teats, diphtheria of the uterus and 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 471 

vagina, in cows; diphtheritic inflammation of the small intestine of 
calves. Among horses it is the agent in the production of necrotic 
malanders, quittor, and diphtheritic inflammation of the large intes- 
tine. In hogs it has caused necrotic or diphtheritic processes in the 
mucous membrane of the mouth, necrosis of the anterior wall of the 
nasal septum, and pulmonary and intestinal necrosis, accompanying 
hog cholera. Abscesses of the liver, gangrenous processes of the lips 
and nose, and gangrenous affections of the hoof have all been caused 
in sheep by this organism. 

Pathology. — The principal lesions in necrotic stomatitis occur in 
the mucous membrane of the mouth and pharynx. The alterations 
may extend to the nasal cavities, the larynx, the trachea, the lung, the 
esophagus, the intestines, and to the hoof. The oral surfaces affected 
are, in the order of frequency, tongue, cheeks, hard palate, gums, 
lips, and pharynx. In the majority of cases the primary infection 
seems to occur in the tongue. (PI. XLV.) 

Infection takes place by inoculation. Some abrasion or break in 
the continuity of the mucous membrane of the mouth occurs. Very 
likely the origin may be connected with the eruption of the first teeth 
after birth, or, in animals somewhat older, the entrance of a sharp- 
pointed particle of food. Gaining an entrance at this point, the 
bacilli begin to multiply. During their development they elaborate 
a toxin, or poisonous substance, which causes the death, or necrosis, 
of the epithelial, or superficial, layer of the mucous membrane and 
also of the wliite blood cells which have sallied forth through the 
vessel walls to the defense of the tissues against the bacillary attack. 
This destruction of the surface epithelium seems to be the essential 
factor in the production of the caseous patch, often called the false 
membrane. From the connective tissue framework below is poured 
forth an inflammatory exudate highly albuminous or rich in fibrin- 
forming elements. When this exudate and the necrosed cellular 
elements come in contact, the latter furnish a fibrin ferment which 
transforms the exudate into a fibrinous mass. This process is known 
as coagulation necrosis, and the resulting fibroid mass, containing in 
its meshes the necrosed and degenerated epithelium and leucocytes, 
constitutes the diphtheric or false membrane. Did the process cease 
at this point it would be properly called a diphtheric inflammation. 
But it does not. A caseating ferment is supplied by the bacilli, and 
this, acting upon the fibroid patch, transforms it into a dry, finely 
granular, yellowish mass of tissue detritus resembling cheese. 

Frequently this caseous inflammation results in the formation of 
one or more ulcers with thickened, slightly reddened borders, sur- 
mounted by several layers of this necrosed tissue. The floor of the 
ulcer is formed by a grayish yellow, -corroded surface, under which 
the tissue is transformed into a dry friable or firm cheesy mass. 



472 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

In the tongiie this may progi^ess to two fingers' thickness into the 
muscular portion; in the cheek it may form an external opening, 
permitting fluids to escape from the mouth; upon the palate it fre- 
quently reaches and includes the bone in its destructive coui^se; upon 
the gums it has produced necrosis of the tooth sockets, causing loss 
of the teeth. In the advanced forms, caseous foci may be seen in the 
lung and in the liver and necrotic patches observed on the mucous 
membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. 

Symptoms. — Necrotic stomatitis is both a local and a systemic 
affection. Primarily it is local. The local lesion is the caseo-necrotic 
patch or ulcer developed as a result of the multiplication of the 
bacilli at the point of inoculation. The general affection is an intoxi- 
cation, or poisoning, of the whole system produced by a soluble toxin 
elaborated by the bacilli. 

The stage of incubation is from three to five days. The first symp- 
toms noted are a disinclination to take nourishment, some drooling 
from the mouth, and an examination of the mouth will shoAv on some 
portion of its mucous membrane a circumscribed area of infiltration 
and redness, possibly an erosion. The latter gradually extends in 
size and depth, forming a sharply circumscribed area of necrotic 
inflammation. It may measure anywhere fi'om the size of a 5-cent 
piece to that of a dollar or even larger. It has the appearance of a 
corroded surface, under which the mucous membrane or muscular 
tissue seems transformed into a dry friable or fimi cheesy mass. It 
is grayish yellow in color and is bordered by a zone of thickened 
tissue slightly reddened and somewhat granulated. The necrotic 
tissue is very adherent and can be only partially peeled off. It is 
homogeneous, cheesy, and may extend two fingers' depth into tlie 
tissues beneath. The general symptoms are languor, weakness, and 
slight fever. In spite of plenty of good food the calf is seen to be 
failing. It stops sucking, or, if older, altogether refuses to eat. The 
temperature at this time may be from 104° to 107° F. The slobber 
becomes profuse, swallowing very difficult, opening of the mouth 
quite painful, and a most offensive odor is exhaled. The tongue is 
swollen and its motion greatly impaired. Sometimes the mouth is 
kept open, pennitting the tumefied tongue to protrude. One or more 
of the above symptoms dii'ect the attention to the mouth as the seat 
of disease : or, having noticed the debility and disinclination to eat, 
an examination of the animal may show a lump under the neck oi 
swelling of the throat or head. The following extract from a lettei 
is characteristic: 

I noticed my calves beginning to fail about the first week in December, but 
could not account for it, as they were getting plenty of grain and hay. My 
attention was first- attracted by a swelling under the neck of one of the calves. 
I cast the animal and found it was food that had collected' and the animal 
couldn't swallow it. I removed it, and in so doing noticed a large ulcer on the 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 473 

tongue and a very ofifensive odor. This was the first knowledge I bad of 
anything being wrong with the calves' mouths. They may have been sick for 
some time before this. 

Out of a herd of 100 belonging to this man. 70 were affected, and the 
letter emphasizes the insidious character of the onset. 

The general affection at this time manifests itself by dejectedness, 
extreme weakness and emaciation, constant lying down, with stiffness 
and marked difficulty in standing. 

The disease frequently extends to the nasal cavities, producing a 
thin, yellowish, or greenish yellow, sticky discharge which adheres 
closely to the borders of the nostrils. Their edges also show caseous 
patches similar to those in the mouth. Sometimes the nasal passage 
is obstructed by great masses of the necrosed exudate, thus causing 
extreme difficulty in breathing. AVhen the caseous process involves 
the larynx and trachea there result cough, wheezing, and dyspnea, 
together with a yellowish mucopurulent expectoration. 

When life is prolonged three or four Aveeks. caseous foci may be 
established in the lung, giving rise to all the signs of a bronchopneu- 
monia. Many of these cases are associated with a fibrinous pleurisy. 
The invasion of the gastrointestinal tract is announced by diarrheal 
symptoms. This disease principally attacks sucklings not over 6 
weeks of age, but calves 8 and 10 months old are frequently affected, 
and several cases in adult cattle have been reported to this office. 

In its very acute form many of the cases run their course in from 
five to eight days. In these the local lesions are not strongly marked, 
and death seems due to an acute intoxication. In other enzootics 
the majority of the affected animals live from three to five weeks. 
These are the cases that occasionally present the pulmonary and intes- 
tinal symptoms, and sometimes develop also caseo-necrotic lesions in 
the liver. 

Ordinarily cases show no tendency to spontaneous cure. Left to 
themselves they die. On the contrary, if taken in hand early the 
disease is readily amenable to treatment. In the latter event the 
prospects of recovery are excellent. 

Diferential diagnosis. — Necrotic stomatitis may be differentiated 
from foot-and-mouth disease by the fact that in the latter disease 
there is a rapid infection of the entire herd, including the adult cattle, 
as well as the infeetion of hogs and sheep. The characteristic lesion 
of foot-and-mouth disease is the appearance of vesicles containing a 
serous fluid upon the mucous membrane of the mouth and upon tlie 
udder, teats, and feet of the affected animals. In necrotic stomatitis 
vesicles are never formed, necrosis occurring from the beginning and 
followed by the formation of yellowish, cheesy patches, principally 
found in the mouth. Mycotic stomatitis occurs in only a few animals 
of the herd, chiefly the adult cattle, and the lesions produced consist 
of an inflammation of the mouth and lips and of the thin skin between 



474 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

the toes, followed in a few days by small irregular ulcers in the mouth. 
This disease appears sporadically, usually in the early fall after a dry 
summer, does not run a regular course, and can not be inoculated. 
Prevention. — Prophylaxis should be carried out along three lines: 

(1) Separation of the sick from the healthy animals. 

(2) Close scrutiny and thorough disinfection once or twice daily 
for five days of the mouths and nasal passages of those animals that 
have been exposed. 

(3) Complete disinfection of all stalls and sheds. 

The disease appears to break out in winter and hold over to spring. 
It is conceivable that exposure to cold might so disturb the normal 
circulation of the oral tissues as to make the mucous membrane an 
excellent location for the causative factor of the disease. There is 
another possibility, however, which bears on the third line of prophy- 
laxis. The so-called diphtheric inflammations of the vagina and 
uterus in cows are caused by the same organism that induces necrotic 
stomatitis. A recent European writer has pointed out the almost 
constant relation of such attacks to previous occurrences of foul foot 
or foot rot in the same or other cattle on the place. 

In all likelihood the stalls and sheds are the harborers, in such 
cases, of this germ. It is possible that many of these outbreaks of 
necrotic stomatitis have some relation to preceding cases of the above- 
mentioned diseases and the greater use in winter of the stalls and 
sheds, thus harboring the Bacillus necrophorus. 

Treatment. — The treatment consists almost solely in careful and 
extensive cleansing and disinfection of the mouth and other affected 
surfaces. The mucous membrane of the mouth should be copiously 
irrigated with a 2 per cent solution of creolin in warm water. This 
should be performed at least twice daily. Since exposure to oxygen 
kills the bacilli, one need have no fear about disturbing or tearing off 
the caseous patches or necrotic tissue during irrigation. The irriga- 
tion of the sores should then be followed by the application with a 
brush or rag on a stick of a paste made with 1 part of salicylic acid 
and 10 parts of water, or the affected areas may be painted with 
Lugol's solution of iodin (iodin, 1; potassium iodid, 5; water, 200). 
Frequent injections into the mouth of 1 per cent carbolic-acid solu- 
tion make an excellent treatment. The internal administration of 2 
grams of salicylic acid and 3 grams of chlorate of potash three times 
a day has also proved very beneficial when accompanied by local 
antiseptic treatment. 

MALIGNANT CATARRH. 

Malignant catarrh, or infectious catarrhal fever, is an acute in- 
fectious disease of cattle preeminently involving the respiratory and 
digestive tracts, although the sinuses of the head, the eyes, and the 
urinary and sexual organs are very frequently affected. It is rela- 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 475 

tively rare in this country, being more common on the continent of 
Europe. Outbreaks have occurred, however, in Minnesota, New 
York, and New Jersey. The casual agent of the disease has as yet 
never been isolated, and inoculation experiments with the view of 
artificially reproducing the disease have proven negative in every 
case. In spite of the foregoing statements the consensus of opinion 
of eminent investigators , points to malignant catarrh as being of 
specific origin ; that is, due to some form of microorganism the con- 
tagious character of which is poorly developed. This accounts for 
the slow transmissibility of the disease from one animal to another. 
In fact, malignant catarrh is a type of that class of affections which 
are scientifically known as miasmatic diseases; that is, they remain 
stationary in stables with damp floors, low ceilings, poor ventilation, 
and bad sanitary conditions in general. Such places furnish a favor- 
able seat of propagation for the infective material, and it will re- 
main active for a long period of time, causing the loss of a few 
animals each year. One European veterinarian reports an instance 
where the disease remained for 25 years on the same farm, attack- 
ing in all 225 animals, with a mortality of about 98 per cent. 

The disease is most common in late winter and early springy at all 
altitudes, and has a special preference for young, well-nourished 
cattle, although older animals are not immune. The time elapsing 
between the entrance of the infective principle into the body of the 
animal and the appearance of the first symptoms is relatively very 
long and, according to German investigators, averages from 20 to 
30 days. Fortunately, it is not a disease which spreads to any great 
extent, or which causes severe losses, and hence legislative enact- 
ments do not seem to be necessary for its restriction. 

Symptoms. — These are extremely variable according to the point of 
localization of the lesions. It is usually ushered in with a chill, fol- 
lowed by a marked rise of temperature (104° to 107° F.). The head 
droops, the skin is hot and dry, and the coat staring. Quivering of 
the muscles in various parts of the body is frequently observed. 
Marked dullness of the animal, passing, according to some observers, 
into an almost stupefied condition later on, is quite common. The 
secretion of milk stops in the begimiing of the disease, and loss of 
flesh, invariably associated with the disease, is extremely marked and 
rapid. The lesions of the eyes may best be likened to moon blindness 
(periodic ophthalmia) in horses. 

There is first an abundant secretion of tears, which run down over 
the face. The lids are swollen and inflamed, and indeed this may be 
so marked as to cause involuntary eversion, exposing the reddened 
conjunctiva to view. Sunlight is painful, as is shown by the fact 
that the animal keeps the eyes continuously closed. This inflamma- 
tion may extend to the cornea, causing it to assume a slight clouded 



476 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

appearance in inild cases or a chalky whiteness in more severe afltec- 
tions. Cases of ulceration of the cornea followed by perforation and 
subsequent escape of the aqueous humor, leading to shrinking of the 
eyeball and permanent loss of sight, have been recorded; but these 
are relatively rare^ although slight inflammation of the deeper struc- 
tures of the eye (iris) are more fi*equent. This inflammation may 
undergo complete resolution in mild cases, but more frequently per- 
inanent cloudiness of the cornea either diffuse or in spots (leucoma) 
is the result. The mucous membrane of the mouth, nose, sinuses of 
the head, throat, and lower respiratory passages are also involved. 
It is first catari'hal in character, but soon a false or diphtheritic mem- 
brane is formed, with the production of shallow ulcers. There is 
dribbling of saliva from the mouth and discharge from the nose, 
which is at first watery, becoming thicker and mixed with blood and 
small masses of cast-off croupous membrane, causing a very fetid 
odor. These croupous areas when they form in the throat, larynx, or 
windpipe may lead to narrowing of these passages, with consequent 
difficult breathing and even suffocation. Various respiratory mur- 
murs may also be heard, caused by the to-and-fro movement of mucus 
and inflammatory deposits along the air passages. There is also 
inflammation of the horn core with consequent loosening of the horn 
shell, and the horns are thus I'eadily knocked off by the uneasy, blind 
sufferer. The animal may refuse all food from the time of the initial 
rise of temperature, or in less severe cases, and especially when the 
lesions of the digestive ti*act are not so marked, the appetite may 
remain until the disease is well advanced. Constipation is quite 
common at the commencement of the attack, followed by diarrhea 
and severe straining, the evacuations becoming very soft, fetid, and 
streaked with blood. Cases have been reported of the evacuation of 
desquamated patches of diphtheritic membrane from the intestinal 
mucosa 6 to 9 feet in length. The kidneys and bladder are usually 
inflamed, the urine being voided with difficulty and the animal 
evincing signs of pain. Inflammatoiy elements, as albumen, casts, 
etc., may be seen on examination of the urine. In cows the mucous 
membrane of the vestibule is congested; swollen, and may contain 
ulcers and an excessive quantity of mucus. Abortion is not infre- 
quent, following a severe attack during advanced pregnancy. In 
connection with these various sysmptoms there may be much uneasi- 
ness on the part of the animal, leading in some cases to madness and 
furious delirium, in others to spasms and convulsions or paralysis. 
A vesicular eniption of the skin may occur, seen principally between 
the toes and on the inside of the flank and in the armpits, with sub- 
sequent loss of hair and epidermis. 

Like other infectious diseases, malignant catarrh pursues a longer 
or shorter course in ac<:ordanc€ with the severity of the attack. In 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 477 

acute cases death is said to take place three to seven days after the 
appearance of symptoms. Recovery, if it occurs, may take three or 
four weeks. According to statistics, from 50 to 90 per cent of the 
affected animals die. 

If animals which have died of this disease be examined, there will 
be occasionally found, in addition to the changes of the mucous mem- 
brane of mouth and nasal pavities referred to above, shallow ulcei*s in 
these situations. These necrotic processes may pass beneath the 
mucous membrane and even involve the underlying bony structure. 
In severe cases membranous (croupous) deposits are found in tho 
Throat. Similar deposits have been found upon the mucous mem- 
brane of the fourth stomach and intestine, which is always inflamed. 
There is more or less inflammation of the membranes of the brain, 
kidneys, liver, and some fatty degeneration of the voluntary muscles. 
In countries where rinderpest occasionally appears it may be difficult 
to distinguish between it and malignant catarrh, owing to a general 
similarity of the symptoms. The principal points to be observed in 
differentiating between the two diseases are the vei-y slight transmis- 
sibility of the latter as compared with the intense contagiousness of 
the former, and the tendency' of malignant catarrh to run a more 
chronic coui-se than rinderpest, which usually results fatally in a very 
few days. Only a trained veterinarian who takes into consideration 
all the different symptoms and lesions of both diseases should decide 
in such cases. 

Treatment. — There is no specific treatment for this affection. How- 
ever, copious blood letting in the earliest stages has been highly rec- 
oimnended, as this has a tendencry^ to deplete the system and lessen 
the exudation of inflammatoi*y products. Antiseptic washes, as cre- 
olin, 2 to 4 per cent solution, or lysol, 5 per cent solution, applied to 
the nose, eyes, and mouth with ice poultices over the crest of the 
head and frontal region have also proved efficacious. Calomel should 
also be given in 1-dram doses twice a day for three days, and in 
severe cases, involving the respiratory tract, a powder containing 
ferrous sulphate, quinine, and subnitrate of bismuth, given twice a 
day, will be found beneficial. At the same time it must be remem- 
bered that much greater success is to be looked for in the preventive 
treatment. This consists in the removal of the healthy from the 
infected animals (not vice versa) and thorovigh cleaning and disin- 
fecting of the contaminated stables. If the floors are low and damp, 
they should be raised and made dry. If this can not be done. plac« 
a layer of cement under the stable floor to prevent water from enter- 
ing from below. The stable should be well ventilated and the soil in 
the pastures thoroughly drained. If this is carefully carried out. the 
contagion should be destroyed and the danger of the reappearance of 
the disease in a great measure lessened. 



478 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

MALIGNANT EDEMA. 

Malignant edema, also termed gangrenous septicemia, is an acute 
inflammatory disease of domestic and wild animals, resulting from 
the introduction of a specific organism into the deep connective tissues 
of a susceptible animal and proving fatal in many instances within 
2i to 48 hours. The disease may be inoculated from one animal to 
another, but only by inserting the virus deeply below the skin. It 
is infrequently met with in cattle, but may follow operating wounds, 
as roweling, castration, and phlebotomy, which have become infected 
with septic matter, soil, or unclean instruments. The organism has 
also been obtained in this laboratory from the infected muscles of a 
calf that was supposed to have died of blackleg, and, as a result, all 
blackleg virus is thoroughly tested before it is made into blackleg 
vaccine in order to exclude the malignant edema organism. The 
essential cause of malignant edema is a long, slender, motile, spore- 
bearing bacillus, resembling the bacillus of blackleg, and which can 
develop only in the absence of the atmosphere. Unlike the bacilli of 
anthrax and blackleg, which are confined to certain districts, this 
organism is widely distributed and found in ordinary garden soil, 
foul water, and in the normal intestinal tract of the herbivora. It 
may be brought to the surface of the soil by growing plants, rains, 
winds, or burrowing insects and rodents. In animals that have suc- 
cumbed to the disease the germ is confined to the seat of infection, but 
a few hours after death it may migrate to other parts of the body 
through the blood channels. The bacillus may attack man, horses, 
asses, goats, sheep, pigs, cats, dogs, and poultry. Adult cattle, al- 
though refractory to experimental inoculation, suffer from natural 
infection, while calves are susceptible to both of these methods of ex- 
posure. (Kitt.) The introduction of the bacillus into abrasions of 
the skin and superficial sores rarely does any harm, because the germ 
is quickly destroyed by contact with air. If, however, the organ- 
isms are inserted deeply into the subcutaneous tissues of susceptible 
animals, they quickly develop, producing a soluble poison, which is 
the fatal agent. 

In lamb-shearing season, or after docking or castration, the mor- 
tality is higher among these animals because of wounds inflicted at 
such times. The application of antiseptics to wounds thus made will 
reduce the percentage of deaths to a minimum. 

Si/mptoins. — Usually the first symptoms are overlooked. In the 
early stages the animal appears listless, disinclined to move about, 
and seeks the shady and quiet places to lie down. If forced to move 
about, the hind legs are drawn forward with a peculiar stiff dragging 
movement and there may be slight muscular trembling all over the 
body, which Ix^comes more intense as the disease progresses. Wlien 
driven, the animal shows signs of fatigue, ultimately dropping to the 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTL.E. 479 

ground completely exhausted. Breathing becomes fast and painful, 
with frequent spasmodic jerks. 

The pulse is quick and weak and the temperature is 106° to 107° F. 
An edematous, doughy, and painful swelling appears at the point of 
infection. This tumefaction spreads more and more and will crackle 
on pressure. In case of an open wound a fetid liquid and frothy 
discharge is observed. Tl^e center of the swelling may appear soft 
and jellylike, while the margin is tense, hot, and painful. The symp- 
toms increase rapidly, resulting in coma and death. 

Lesions. — After death the fat and subcutaneous tissues surrounding 
the infected area are infiltrated with a yellow gelatinous material con- 
taining an orange-colored foam, due to the presence of gas bubbles. 

The muscles at this point are friable, spongy, and of a uniform 
brownish tint, disassociated by gas and with a blood-tinged exudate. 
This gangrenous tissue, when present before death, can be removed 
without pain to the animal. The intestines are generally normal, but 
they, together with the peritoneum, may be inflamed, and the lungs 
are usually the seat of an edema. The spleen, liver, and kidneys re- 
tain their normal appearance, in marked contrast with anthrax. 

Differential diagnosis. — Unlike blackleg this disease never appears 
as an epizootic but in isolated cases. It may also be differentiated 
from the former by the history of a recent parturition or surgical 
operation, by the presence of an external injury at the site of the 
swelling accompanied by a fetid liquid discharge, and the gangrenous 
appearance of the tumefaction. Man is susceptible to malignant 
edema, but not to blackleg. Malignant edema may also be easily dif- 
ferentiated from anthrax in that the blood and spleen are normal in 
appearance, while in the latter disease the blood is dark and of a 
tarlike consistency and the spleen appears swollen, injected, and 
softened. The local tumor in malignant edema contains gas bubbles, 
while in anthrax swellings these are absent. Inoculation experiments 
of guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens will also disclose the differences 
among the above three diseases, since all of these species are killed 
by the germ of malignant edema, only the first two species by the 
anthrax bacillus, while the guinea pigs alone will succumb to the 
blackleg infection. 

Treatment. — Treatment is chiefly surgical and consists in laying 
the infected areas wide open by free incision, followed by a liberal 
application of a 30 per cent solution of hydrogen dioxid and subse- 
quently a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid. Usually the disease 
when observed has advanced to such an extent that medicinal inter- 
ference is without avail. Preventive treatment is by far the most 
desirable, and consists, essentially, in a thorough disinfection of all 
accidental and surgical wounds, the cleansing of the skin, and the 
exclusion of soil, filth, and bacteria during surgical operations of any 



480 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

iiature. Sheds, barns, and stables should receive a thorough applica- 
tion of quicklime or crude carbolic acid wash after all rubbish has 
been removed and burned. All animals should be burned or deeply 
buried and covered well with quicklime. 

SOUTHERK CATTLE FEVER (TEXAS FE%'ER) . 
[Pis. XLVI to LI. inclusive.] 

This disease, which is more commonly known as splenetic, or Texas, 
fever, is a specific fever communicated by cattle which have recently 
been moved northward from the infected district, or which is con- 
tracted by cattle taken into the infected district from other parts of 
the world. It is characterized by the peculiarity among animal dis- 
eases that the animals which disseminate the infection are apparently 
in good health, while those which sicken and die from it do not, as a 
rule, infect others. 

It is accompanied by high fever, greatly enlarged spleen, destruc- 
tion of the red-blood corpuscles, escape of the coloring matter of the 
blood through the kidneys, giving the urine a deep-red color, by a 
yellowness of the mucous membranes and fat, which is seen more 
especially in fat cattle, by a rapid loss of strength, and by fatal results 
in a large proportion of cases. 

This disease has various names in different sections of the country 
where it frequently appears. It is often called Spanish fever, accli- 
mation fever, red water, black water, distemper, murrain, dry mur- 
rain, yellow murrain, bloody murrain, Australian tick fever, and 
ti'isteza of South America. 

The earliest accounts we have of this disease date back to 1814, 
when it was stated by Dr. James Mease, before the Philadelphia 
Society for Promoting Agriculture, that the cattle from a certain 
district in South Carolina so certainly disease all others with which 
they mix in their progress t.o the North that they are prohibited by 
the people of Virginia from passing through the Stat^; that these 
cattle infect others while they themselves are in perfect health, and 
that cattle from Europe or the interior taken to the vicinity of the 
sea are attacked by a disease that generally proves fatal. Similar 
observations have been made in regard to a district in the southern 
part of the United States indicated by the shaded area on the map, 
Plate LI. The northeiTi limits of this area are changed yearly as a 
result of the dissemination or eradication of the cattle tick along 
the border, but the infected area has gradually decreased, owing to 
the successful endeavors pushed forward to eliminate the ticks. 

It was the frequent and severe losses following the driving of cattle 
from the infected district in Texas into and across the Western States 
and Ten'itories which led to the disease being denominated Texas 
fever. It is now known, however, that the infection is not peculiar 
to Texas or even to the United States, but that it also exists in 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 481 

southern Europe, Central and South America, Australia, South 
Africa, and the West Indies. 

When cattle from other sections of the country are taken into the 
infected district they contract this disease usually during the first 
summer, and if they are adult animals, particularly milch cows or fat 
cattle, nearly all die. Calves are much more likely to survive. The 
disease is one from which ijnmunity is acquired, and therefore calves 
which recover are not again attacked, as a rule, even after they 
become adult. 

AVhen the infection is disseminated beyond the permanently in- 
fected district, the roads, pastures, pens, and other inclosures are 
dangerous for susceptible animals until freezing weather. The infec- 
tion then disappears, and cattle may be driven over the grounds or 
kept in the inclosures the succeeding summer and the disease will not 
reappear. Theie are some exceptions to this rule in the section just 
north of the boundary line of the infected district. In this locality 
the infection sometimes resists the winters, especially when these 
are mild. 

In regard to the manner in which the disease is communicated, 
experience shows that this does not occur by animals coming near or 
in contact with each other. It is an indirect infection. The cattle 
from the infected district first infect the pastures, roads, pens, cars, 
etc., and the susceptible cattle obtain the viinis secondhand from 
these. Usually animals do not contract this disease when separated 
from infected pastures by a fence. If, however, there is any drain- 
age or washing by rains acros's the line of fence this rule does not 
hold good. 

The investigations made by the Bureau of Animal Industry demon- 
strate that the ticks which adhere to cattle from the infected district 
are the only known means of conveying the infection to the bodies of 
susceptible cattle. The infection is not spread by the saliva, the 
urine, or the manure of cattle from the infected district. In studying 
the causation and prevention of this disease, attention must there- 
fore be largely given to the ticks, and it now seems apparent that if 
cattle could be freed from this parasite when leaving the infected dis- 
trict they would not be able to cause the malady. The discovei7 of 
the connection of the ticks with the production of the disease has 
played a very important part in determining the methods that should 
be adopted in preventing its spread. It established an essential point 
and indicated many lines of investigation which have yielded and are 
still likely to yield very important results. 

Natwre of the duease.— Texas fever is caused by an organism which 
lives within the red-blood corpuscles and breaks them up. It is there- 
fore simply a blood disease. The organism does not belong to the 
bacteria but to the protozoa. It is not, in other words, a microscopic 
16923°— 1? 31 



482 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

plant, but it belongs to the lowest forms of the animal kingdom. 
This very minute organism multiplies very rapidly in the body of the 
infected animal, and in acute cases causes an enormous destruction 
of red corpuscles in a few days. How it gets into the red corpuscle 
it is not possible to state, but it appears that it enters as an exceed- 
ingly minute body, probably endowed with motion, and only after it 
has succeeded in entering the corpuscle does it begin to enlarge. 
Plate XLVII, figure 4, illustrates an early stage of this blood para- 
site. The red corpuscle contains a very minute roundish body which 
is stained blue to bring it into view. The body is, as a rule, situated 
near the edge of the corpuscle. Figure 5 illustrates an older stage in 
the growth of the parasite, in fact the largest which has thus far been 
detected. It will be noticed that there are usually two bodies in a 
corpuscle. These bodies are in general pear-shaped. The narrow 
ends are always toward each other when two are present in the same 
corpuscle. If we bear in mind that the average diameter of the red- 
blood corpuscles of cattle is from j^Vt to -g-oVir inch, the size of the 
contained parasite may be at once appreciated by a glance at the 
figures referred to. 

The various disease processes which go on in Texas fever, and 
which we may observe by examining the organs after death, all result 
from the destruction of the red corpuscles. This destruction may be 
extremely rapid or slow. Wlien it is rapid we have the acute, usually 
fatal, type of Texas fever, which is always witnessed in the height 
of the Texas-fever season ; that is, during the latter weeks of August 
and the early weeks of September. Wlien the destruction of corpus- 
cles is slower, a mild, usually nonfatal, type of the disease is called 
forth, which is only witnessed late in autumn or more rarely in July 
ynd the early part of August. Cases of the mild type occurring thus 
early usually become acute later on and terminate fatally. 

The acute disease is fatal in most cases, and the fatality is due not 
so much to the loss of blood corpuscles as to the difficulty which the 
organs have in getting rid of the waste products arising from this 
wholesale destruction. How great this may be a simple calculation 
will serve to illustrate. If we take a steer weighing 1,000 pounds, 
the blood in its body will amount to about 50 pounds, if we assume 
that the blood represents one-twentieth of the weight of the body, a 
rather low estimate. According to experimental determination at 
the bureau station, which consists in counting the number of blood 
corpuscles in a given quantity of blood from day to day in such an 
animal, the corpuscles contained in from 5 to 10 pounds of blood 
may be destroyed within 24 hours. The remains of these corpuscles 
and the coloring matter in them must be either converted into bile 
or excreted unchanged. The result of this effort on the part of the 
liver causes extensive disease of this organ. The bile secreted by the 
liver cells contains so much solid material that it stagnates in the 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 483 

finest bile canals and chokes these up completely. This in turn inter- 
feres with the nutrition of the liver cells and they undergo fatty de- 
generation and perish. The functions of the liver are thereby com- 
pletely suspended and death is the result. This enormous destruc- 
tion of corpuscles takes place to a large extent in the kidneys, where 
a great number of corpuscles containing the parasites are always 
found in acute cases. This accounts largely for the blood-colored 
urine, or red water, which is such a characteristic feature of Texas 
fever. The corpuscles themselves are not found in the urine; it is 
the red coloring matter, or hemoglobin, which leaves them when they 
break up and pass into the urine. 

Symptoms. — After a period of exposure to infected soil, which may 
vary from 13 to 90 days, and which will be more fully discussed 
further on under the subject of cattle ticks as bearers of the Texas- 
fever parasite, the disease first shows itself in dullness, loss of appe- 
tite, and a tendency to leave the herd and stand or lie down alone. A 
few days before these symptoms appear the presence of a high fever 
may be detected by the clinical thermometer. The temperature rises 
from a normal of 101° to 103° F. to 106° and 107° F. There seems 
to be little or no change in temperature until recovery or death en- 
sues. The period of high temperature or fever varies considerably. 
As it indicates the intensity of the disease process going on within, 
the higher it is the more rapid the fatal end. When it does not 
rise above 104° F. the disease is milder and more prolonged. 

The bowels are mostly constipated during the fever; toward the 
end the feces may become softer and rather deeply tinged with bile. 
The urine shows nothing abnormal during the course of the disease 
until near the fatal termination, when it may be deeply stained with 
the coloring matter of the blood. (Hemoglobinuria; see PI, XLVII, 
fig. 3.) Although this symptom is occasionally observed in animals 
which recover, yet it may generally be regarded as an indication of 
approaching death. The pulse and respiration are usually much 
more rapid than during health. 

Other symptoms in addition to those mentioned have been de- 
scribed by observers, but they do not seem to be constant, and only 
the above are nearly always present. As the end approaches emacia- 
tion becomes very marked, the blood is very thin and watery, and the 
closing of any wound of the skin by clots is retarded. The animal 
manifests increasing stupor and may lie down much of the time. 
Signs of delirium have been observed in some cases. Death occurs 
most frequently in the night. 

The course of the disease is very variable in duration. Death may 
ensue in from three days to several weeks after the beginning of the 
fever. Those that recover ultimately do so very slowly, owing to 
the great poverty of the blood in red corpuscles. The flesh is re- 
gained but very gradually, and the animal may be subjected to a 



TEXAS FEVER. 

[Description of plates.] 

Plate XLVI. Fig. 1. Spleen of an acute fatal case of Texas fever. The nar- 
row end of the spleen is here represented. Fig. 2. Spleen of nealthy steer. 
Though the latter animal weighed one-half more than the formei, the weight 
of the diseased spleen (6S pounds! was nearly three times that of the healthy 
spleen (2i pounds). 

Plate XLYII. Fig. 1. The cut surface of a healthy liver taken from a steer 
slaughtered for beef. Fig. 2. The cut surface of the liver ia Texas fever. 
Fig. 3. Appearance of the urine in an acute fatal case of Texas ft-ver. Fig. 4. 
Red corpuscles, magnified 1,000 diameters, containing the parasite of Texas 
fever. This appears as a blue point a near the edge of the corpuscle. The blood 
was taken from a skin incision. The case was nonfatal and occui-red late in 
fall. Fig. 5. Red corpuscles fi-om the blood of an acute fatal case, 20 hoairs 
before death. The Texas fever microbes a are shown as pear-shaped bo<lies, 
stained with methylene blue, within the red corpuscles. The larger body on the 
right & is a white blood corpuscle, also stained with methylene blue. Magnified 
1,000 diameters. 

Plate XLVIII. The cattle tick, the carrier of Texas fever. Fig. 1. A series 
of ticks, natural size, from the smallest, just hatched from the egg, to the 
mature female, ready to drop off and lay eggs. Fig. 2. Eggs, magnitied 5 times. 
Fig, 3. The young tick just hatched, magnified 40 times. Fig. 4. The male after 
the last molt, magnified 10 times. Fig. 5. The female after the last molt, 
magnified 10 times. Fig. 6. A portion of the skin of the udder, showing the 
small ticks. From a fatal case of Texas fever produced by placing young 
ticks on the animal. Natural size. Fig. 7. A portion of the ear of the same 
animal, showing same full-grown ticks ready to drop off. Natural size. 

Plate XLIX. Portion of a steer's hide, showing the Texas fever tick ( Mar- 
garopus annulatus) of the United States. Natural size. Original. 

Plate L. Fig. 1. Dorsal view of male Margaropus annulatus of the United 
States, greatly enlarged. Original. Fig. 2. Ventral view of male Margaropus 
annulatus of the United States, greatly enlarged. Original. Fig. 3. Dorsal 
view of replete female Margaropus annulatus, greatly enlarged. Original. Fig. 
4. Ventral view of same. 

Plate LI. Map of the United States, showing the region infected with Texas 
fever. The shaded and black portions show the area quarantined on account of 
this disease. As a general rule, cattle may not be shipped interstate from the 
shaded area except for immediate slaughter. In the black areas the infection 
is slight, as a result of the work being done for the extermination of the cattle 
ticks, and cattle officially inspected and found free from infection may be 
shipped interstate therefrom for any purpose. As the quarantined area is 
subject to change at any time, this map should be compared with the latest 
regulations, which may be obtained at any time on application to the Secretary 
of Agriculture. 

484 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xlvi 



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z 


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X 

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Diseases of Cattle 



Plate xlvii 




Fig. 




Fig. 3 



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JUUUS BIEN C«. I 



Texas Fever. 



Diseases of Cattle 



' « © » cr \i 



iM 



Plate xlviii 



Fifi.l 



Fig. 2 



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Fig. 3 



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Fig. 6 



JULIUS BIEN CO I 



The Cattle Tick (Margaropus annulatus)-the Carrier ofTexas Fever. 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate XLIX. 




Portion of a Steer'S Hide, Showing the Texas-fever Tick (Margaropus annulatus) 
OF THE United States. Natural Size. Original. 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate l 







Fis^s.land2 DORSALAND VENTRAL V I EWS O F MALE 

Texas Fever Tick.(Margaropus annulatus) 
Figs.3 and 4 Dorsal AND ventral VIEWS OF replete Female 
Texas Fever Tick. (Margaropus annulatus) 



Diseases of Cattle. 



Plate LI. 




INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 485 

second, though mild, attack later on in the autumn, which pu^flies 
the full recovery onward to the beginning of AA'inter. 

In the mild type of the disease, which occurs in October and No- 
vember, symptoms of disease are wer-nigh absent. There is little 
if any fever, and if it were not for loss of flesh and more or less dull- 
ness the disease might pass unnoticed, as it undoubtedly does in a 
majority, of cases. If, however, the blood corpuscles be counted 
from time to time a gradually diminishing number will be found, 
and after several weeks only about one-fifth or one-sixth of the nor- 
mal number are present. It is indeed surprising how little impres- 
sion upon the animal this very impoverished condition of the blood 
appears to make. It is probable, however, that if two animals kept 
under the same conditions, one healthy and the other at the end of 
one of these mild attacks, be weighed, the difference would be plainly 
shown. 

Pathological changes observable after death. — In the preceding 
pages some of these have already been referred to in describing the 
nature of the di*-ease. It is very important at times to determine 
whether a certain disease is Texas fever or some other disease, like 
anthrax, for example. This fact can, as a rule, be determined at 
once by a thorough microscopic examination of the blood. The 
necessar}^ apparatus and the requisite qualifications for this task 
leave this method entirely in the hands of experts. There is, how- 
ever, a considerable number of changes caused by this disease which 
may be detected by the naked eye when the body has been opened. 
These, put together, make a mistake quite impossible. The presence 
of small ticks on the skin of the escutcheon, the thighs, and the udder 
is a very important sign in herds north of the Texas-fever line, as it 
indicates that the}'^ have been brought in some manner from the 
South and carried the disease with them, as will be explained later. 
Another very important sign is the thin, watery condition of the 
blood, either just before death or when the fever has been present for 
four or five days. A little incision into the skin will enable anyone 
to determine this point. Frequently the skin is so poor in blood that 
it may require seA^eral incisions to draw a drop or more. 

The changes in the internal organs, as found on post-mortem ex- 
aminations, are briefly as follows: The spleen, or milt, is much larger 
than in healthy animals. It may weigh three or four times as much. 
When it is incised the contents or pulp is blackish (see PI. XLVI, 
fig. 1), and may even well out as a disintegi-ated mass. The mark- 
ings of the healthy spleen (fig. 2) are all effaced by the enonnous 
number of blood corpuscles which have collected in the spleen, and 
to which the enlargement is due. Next to the spleen the liver will 
arouse our attention. (See PL XLVII, fig. 2.) It is larger than 
in the healthy state, has lost its natural brownish color (fig. 1), and 



486 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

now has on the surface a paler yellowish hue. When it is incised 
this yellowish tinge, or mahogany color, as it has been called by 
some, is still more prominent. This is due to the large amount of 
bile in the finest bile capillaries, and as these are not uniformly filled 
with it the cut surface has a more or less mottled appearance. This 
bile injection causes in many cases a fatty degeneration of the liver 
cells, which makes the organ appear still lighter in color. 

In all cases the gall bladder should be examined. This is dis- 
tended with bile, which holds in suspension a large quantity of 
yellow flakes, so that when it is poured into a tall bottle to settle fully 
one-half or more of the column of fluid will be occupied by a layer 
of flakes. If mucus is present at the same time, the bile may become 
so viscid that when it is poured from one glass to another it forms 
long bands. The bile in health is a limpid fluid containing no solid 
particles. 

If the animal has not been obsei*ved during life to pass urine 
colored with blood or red water, the bladder should be opened. This 
quite invariably, in acute cases, contains urine which varies in color 
from a deep port wine to a light claret. In many cases the color is 
so dense that light will not pass through even a thin layer. (PI. 
XL VII, fig. 3.) The kidneys are always found congested in the 
acute attack. The disease exerts but little effect on the stomach and 
intestines beyond more or less reddening of the mucous membrane; 
hence an examination of these may be safely omitted. The lungs 
are, as a rule, not diseased. The heart usually shows patches of 
blood extravasation on the inside (left ventricle) and less markedly 
on the outer surface. 

We have observed jaundice of the various tissues but very rarely. 
It has been observed by some quite regularly, however. 

During the hot season about 90 per cent of the susceptible mature 
animals from a noninfected district die, but later, in the cool weather, 
the disease assumes a milder type, with a consequent decrease in the 
number of deaths. 

The cattle tick,, Margarojnis annulat^is, as the carrier of Texas fever. 
(Pis. XLVIII, XLIX, and L.) — The cattle tick is, as its name indi- 
cates, a parasite of cattle in the southern part of the United States. 
It belongs to the gi'oup of Arthropoda and to the genus Margaropns 
(or Boophilus)., which is included in the order Acarina. Its life 
history is quite simple and easily traced from one generation to an- 
other. It is essentially a parasite, attaching itself to the skin (PI. 
XLIX) and drawing the blood of its host. It is unable to come to 
maturity and reproduce its kind unless it becomes attached to the 
skin of cattle, whence it may obtain its food. 

The eggs laid on the ground after the female has dropped from the 
host begin to develop at once. "Wlien the embryo is fully formed 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 487 

within the shell it ruptures this and gains its freedom. The time 
required from the laying of tlie eggs to their hatching varies consid- 
erably, according to tlie temperature. In the laboratory in the heat 
of midsummer this was accomplished in about 13 days. In the late 
fall, under the same conditions, it required from four to six weeks. 
The larva after emerging from the egg is very minute, six-legged, 
and just visible to the naked eye. (PI. XLVIII, fig. 3.) If these 
larvse be kept on a layer of moist sand or earth in a covered dish, 
they may remain alive for months, but there is no appreciable in- 
crease in size. As soon, however, as they are placed upon cattle 
growth begins. 

On pastures these little creatures soon find their way onto cattle. 
They attach themselves by preference to the tender skin on the 
escutcheon, the inside of the thighs, and on the base of the udder. 
Yet when they are very numerous they may be found in small num- 
bers on various parts of the body, such as the neck, the chest, and 
the ears. (PI. XLIX.) 

The changes which they undergo during their parasitic existence 
were first studied by Dr. Cooper Curtice in 1889. The young tick 
within a week molts, and the second or nymphal stage of the para- 
site's life is thus ushered in. After this change it has four pairs of 
legs. Within another week another molt takes place by which the 
tick passes from the nymphal to the sexual, or adult, stage. Im- 
pregnation now takes place, and, with the development of the ova in 
the body, the tick takes an increased quantity of blood, so that it 
becomes very much larger in a few days. That the rapid growth is 
due to the blood taken in may be easily proved by crushing one. The 
intestine is distended with a thick, tarry mass composed of partly 
digested blood. Wlien the female has reached a certain stage of 
maturity she drops to the ground and begins to lay a large nimiber 
of eggs, which hatch in the time given above. 

The life of the cattle tick is thus spent largely on cattle, and 
although the young, or larvse, may live for a long time on the 
ground in the summer season, they can not mature excepting as para- 
sites on cattle and horses. We have purposely omitted various details 
of the life history, including that of the male, as they are not neces- 
sary to an understanding of our present subject — Texas fever. How 
this is transmitted we will proceed to consider. Before the enforce- 
ment of the Federal quarantine southern cattle sent north during the 
spring and summer months carried on their bodies large numbers of 
the cattle ticks. These when matured would drop off and lay their 
eggs on the northern pastures. After hatching, the young ticks 
would soon get upon any northern cattle which happened to be on 
the pasture. As soon as they had attached themselves to the skin 
they inoculated the cattle, and Texas fever would break out a week 



488 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

or more thereafter. For many years there had been a growing 
suspicion that the cattle tick was in some way concerned in tlie 
spread of Texas fever, and the facts which supported this suppo- 
sition finally became so numerous and convincing that a series of 
experiments was inaugurated bj' the Bureau of Animal Industry 
wliich served to show that the tick is abundantly able to carry the 
disease to a herd of health cattle, and in fact is probably the only 
agent concerned in the transmission of the disease from southern 
cattle to susceptible northern animals. 

INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF CATTLE TICKS. 

Many cattle owners who have always been accustomed to see both 
ticks and ticky cattle on their farms are unfortunately not inclined 
to attach much importance to cattle ticks, and, as a rule, through 
lack of appreciation of their damaging effects, placidly consider them 
as of little consequence. That ticks may be detrimental to their hosts 
in several ways has probably not suggested itself to these stockmen, 
who are most vitally affected, and it therefore seems necessar}' to 
emphasize the fact that, in addition to their relation to Texas fever, 
they ma}' also be injurious to ciittle as external parasites. AAliile 
the power of transmitting Texas fever is undoubtedly the most dan- 
gerous property possessed by the cattle tick and is the principal 
cause for adopting stringent measures in securing its complete eradi- 
cation, nevertheless there still remain other good reasons for the 
accomplishment of this achievement. These secondaiy objections to 
the presence of ticks on cattle consist in the physical harm they do 
to the host aside from the production of the specific disease of Texas 
fever. True, a few parasites may remain on cattle indefinitely 
without causing any noticeable effect, but it is not uncommon to 
notice bovine animals on pastures Avith their hides heavily infested 
with these pests. In such cases it can readil}" be seen that the contin- 
iu>us sucking of blood causes more or less impoverishment of the cir- 
culation. The animal must therefore be fed heavier in order to 
meet the demands of the parasites in addition to the ordinary needs 
of the host. If the ticks be removed from the body, the bites inflicted 
are often distinguished by small inflamed or reddened areas some- 
what SAvollen, with perforations of the skin which may allow the 
entrance of various kinds of disease germs, and showing that more 
or less irritation of the hide is produced by these parasites. This 
condition, together with the loss of blood, frequently induces an irri- 
table state and evidences of uneasiness commonly known as " tick 
worry,*' which results in the loss of energy and other derangements of 
the animal's health. It may in some cases become so pronoiuiced. 
especially in hot weather, that the animal Avill lose flesh in spite of 
good pasturing, thereby reducing the vitality and rendering it more 
susceptible to the inroads of disease. Moreover, if the infestation of 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 489 

ticks is not controlled, the cattle may be so reduced in condition that 
growth is retarded, and, in the case of young animals, they may 
never become fully developed, but remain thin, weak, and stunted— 
R condition that has been termed " tick poverty '' — and easily suc- 
cumb to other diseases as a result of lowered vitality. In milch 
cows this debilitating influence of the numerous ticks is shown 
in a greatly reduced milk supply. This should not appear strange 
when it is considered that some animals harbor several thousand 
of these bloodsucking parasites. If these parasites are crushed, 
it will be found that their intestines are completely filled with 
a dark, thick mass of blood abstracted fi'om the animal host and con- 
taining nutriment that should go to the formation of milk, flesh, and 
the laying on of fat. In some rare cases the large number of bites 
over a limited area of skin may be followed by infection with pus- 
producing organisms, giving rise to small abscesses which may ter- 
minate in ulcers. The discharge from such sores, or in some cases 
the mere oozing of blood serum through the incision made by the 
mouth parts of the ticks, keeps the hair moist and matted together, 
and the laying and hatching of fly eggs in these areas give rise to 
infestation with destructive maggots, causing ulcers and other compli- 
cations that require medical treatment. These statements regarding 
the secondary injurious effects of cattle ticks also apply to those ticks 
which have been previously spoken of as harmless in so far as Texas 
fever is concerned, and, in fact, to all external parasites. Therefore, 
it is just as important to eradicate the cattle ticks for reasons other 
than those associated with Texas fever as it is to exterminate lice, 
fleas, and other vermin. Furthermore, cattle ticks, aside from the 
losses sustained by their purely parasitic effects, are the greatest 
menace to the profitable raising and feeding of cattle in the South, 
because they are an obstacle to cattle traffic between the infected and 
noninfected districts. 

LOSS OCCASIONED BY CATTLE TICKS. 

The economic aspect of the tick problem is unquestionably of the 
greatest practical interest, since the fundamental importance of all 
the other questions which surround it depends upon the actual 
money value involved. It would therefore seem advisable to furnish 
a few statistics showing the financial loss sustained by the country 
as a result of the presence of this parasite. It is well known that 
those animals, coming from an infected district and sold in the 
" southern pens " of northern stockyards, bring an average of one- 
fourth to one-half a cent less per pound than the quoted market 
price. The handicap that is placed on the southern cattle raiser as 
a result of this decrease in value of his stock will average at the 
former figure at least $1.50 per head, allowing an individual weight 
of GOO pounds for all classes of animals, so that the loss on the esti- 



490 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

mated 705,000 southern cattle, including stock, beef, and dairy ani- 
mals, marketed yearly under these conditions will sum up a loss of 
$1,057,500 per annum. Carrying this estimate still further it will 
be found that this decreased value reacts and fixes the valuation of 
all cattle which remain in the infected territory, thereby reducing 
the assets of the cattle industry of that section by this ratio per head 
for the four and a half millions of cattle east of the Mississippi Eiver 
and the eleven millions of cattle west of the Mississippi River; or, 
altogether, the enormous shrinkage in value of $23,250,000 directly 
chargeable to the cattle tick. This sum, however, should not be con- 
sidered in determining the yearly devastation caused by the cattle 
tick, but rather as an unnecessary reduction in the assets of the in- 
fected country. This last loss does not include the decrease in flesh 
and lack of development of southern cattle occasioned by the para- 
sitic life of the ticks from without and by the blood- destroying and 
enervating properties of the protozoan parasites from within, an 
additional loss which is so very great that a conservative estimate 
would place it equal to the loss above mentioned, or $23,250,000. 

The shrinkage in the milk production of cattle harboring many 
ticks will average 1 quart per day, and the loss occasioned thereby at 
3 cents per quart for the 875,000 ticky dairy cattle out of more than 
4,000,000 dairy cattle below the quarantine line would amount to 
$26,250 per day, or, counting 300 milking days for each cow to 
the year, $7,875,000 per annum. The damage resulting to the south- 
ern purchaser of northern pure-bred or high-grade cattle is another 
item of no small moment. About 10 per cent of all such cattle 
taken South die of Texas fever, even after they are immunized by 
blood inoculations, and about 60 per cent of these cattle succumb to 
Texas fever when not so treated. Since they are usually very expen- 
sive animals and of a highly valued strain of blood, the loss in 
certain cases is excessive and in others almost irreparable, owing 
to the possible extinction of some particular type especially selected 
for the improvement of the herd. Thus of the approximate 4,600 
of such cattle brought South each year, at least 460 die of Texas 
fever. The loss entailed would naturally depend on the value of each 
animal, and since the prices paid for such well-bred cattle range 
from $100 to $1,000, or even more, it can readily be conceived that 
the yearly loss from this item alone varies from $46,000 upward. 

Another instance where it is difficult to figure the injury done by 
the ticks is in the case of death of nonimmune cattle in the tick-free 
pastures of the South. Such animals are as susceptible to Texas 
fever as nonimmune northern cattle, and inasmuch as there are in 
many States only one out of every four farms infested with ticks, the 
cattle on the remaining farms will in many cases contract Texas 
fever when exposed to the fever tick. These losses can scarcely be 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 491 

computed, as the death rate depends so much on the season of the 
year when exposure occurs and on the age of the animal affected. 
However, the deaths among such cattle are considerable, although 
this fact is little appreciated or understood by many outside of the 
infected area. Thus, if we consider one-tenth of the cattle below 
the line as nonimmunes which contract the disease on exposure to 
ticks, and if we figure on the death rate of 25 per cent of these 
animals — a conservative estimate — the loss would amount to 387,500 
animals, which, at an estimated value of $15 per head, would amount 
to a loss of $5,812,500 per annum. And this sum, excessive as it 
may seem, represents a smaller percentage of loss on the total valu- 
ation of neat cattle than has been determined by several of the 
infected States. 

On rare occasions a small outbreak of Texas fever occurs north 
of the quarantine line as a result of improperly disinfected cars, of 
unscrupulous dealers breaking the quarantine regulations, or of 
some accidental condition. Such damage, however, is slight, but 
should be given consideration in summing up the loss occasioned by 
the fever tick. 

The advertisement which a breeder obtains and the sales which are 
made by having his stock in the show ring are usually lost to the 
southern cattle raiser who aspires to display his animals in the 
North, as they are barred from most of these exhibitions. On the 
other hand, the sovithern farmer is not given an opportunity to see 
and be stimulated by the fine specimens of northern cattle which 
might be shown at southern stock exhibits, for the reason that the 
danger of contracting Texas fever is too patent to warrant such 
exposure. The expense incurred by the Government in enforcing 
the regulations that apply to the quarantine line reaches about $42,000 
per annum, while the cost to the various States for similar work 
along their individual quarantine lines amounts to a very modest 
sum in some States, but to large figures in others, aggregating about 
$23,000 yearly. 

Another loss which is indirectly sustained by the southern cattle 
industry through increased freight rates is the cost to the railroad 
companies of cleaning and disinfecting the cars that carry southern 
tattle and in providing separate pens for these animals at various 
locations. This sum may be calculated at not less than $29,000 per 
annum. 

If all the above-mentioned losses are added it will be found that 
the Texas-fever tick is responsible for about $40,000,000 of loss 
annually to the people of the infected country, and that it also lowers 
the assets of the South by an additional $23,250,000. These figures 
are not given as accurate in any particular, but they are sufficiently 
close to indicate that the loss to the quarantined section from the 



492 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

cattle tick is something enormous and represents about 16 per cent of 
the total valuation of the cattle in that region. It must be admitted 
that this is by far too great a barrier to the successful operation of any 
business. Such a series of encumbrances as those recorded could be 
carried by the cattle industry of no other section of the country but 
the South, whose excellent pastures, rich soil, and salubrious climate 
are the only reasons for its ability to overcome such obstacles in meet- 
ing the competition of the West. And it is the inherent capacity of 
the South for greatly increasing its herds and enlarging its pasture 
lands that makes the actual loss even secondary to the potential loss 
due to restrictions necessitated by the presence of the cattle tick. 
This potential loss may be described as the difference between the 
value of the cattle industry of the South to-day and the extent to 
which this industry would be increased if farmers and ranchmen 
were assured that their lands and cattle would not become infested 
with fever ticks. Could this assurance be given, the beneficial effects 
would extend over the entire country, because the market of the 
northern breeder would thereby become greatly extended. 

These appalling losses and annual sacrifices of the cattle raisei"s of 
the infected district can be entirely effaced, and this at a small pro- 
portionate cost ; for, with enthusiastic stockmen, satisfactory State 
legislation, sufficient money, and a trained corps of inspectors, the 
cattle tick may be exterminated, and every dollar expended in this 
M'ork will be returned many fold during each succeeding year. 

The so-called feiiod of incubation. — After the young ticks have 
attached themselves to cattle the fever appears about 10 days there- 
after, in midsummer. When the weather is cool, as in autumn, this 
period may be a little longer. The actual period of incubation may 
be shorter than this, for if blood from a case of Texas fever be in- 
jected into the blood vessels of healthy cattle the fever may appear 
within five days. When cattle gi*aze upon pastures over which south- 
ern cattle have passed, the time when the disease appears varies 
within wide limits. When the animals have been put upon pastures 
immediately after southern cattle have infected them with ticks, it 
may take from 30 to 60 days, or even longer, before the disease 
appeal's. This will be readily understood when we recall the life 
histoiy of ticks. The southern cattle leave only matured ticks which 
have dropped from them. These must lay their eggs and the latter 
]>e hatched before any ticks can get upon native cattle. The shortest 
period is thus not less than 30 days if we include 10 days for the 
period of incubation after the young tick has attached itself to native 
cattle. When the infection of pastures with ticks has taken place 
early in the season, or when this is cold, the period will be much 
longer, because it takes longer for the eggs to hatch. 



IMFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 493 

If native cattle are placed upon pastures which have been infected 
some time before with ticks, the disease will appear so much sooner, 
because the young ticks may be already hatched and attack the cattle 
at once. It will be evident, therefore, that the length of time elaps- 
ing between the exposure of native cattle on infected fields and the 
appearance of the disease will depend on the date of original infec- 
tion, and on the weather, whether cold or hot. Wlien native cattle 
are placed upon fields on which young ticks are already present, 
they will show the fever in 13 to 15 days if the season be hot. 

The fever appears before the ticks have matured. In fact, they are 
still small enough to be overlooked. In any case vei'y careful search 
should be made for them in those places upon which they prefer to 
locate — the thighs, escut<*heon, and udder. After the acute stage of 
the fever has pas.sed by. the ticks begin to swell up and show very 
plainly. (PI. XL VIII,' figs. 6 and 7.) 

PBEVENTION. 

It is generally accepted that if southern cattle are entirely free 
from that species of tick known as Margaropus (or Boophilus) 
im-ivulatus^ they can be allowed to mingle with the most susceptible 
animals without danger. Furthermore^ it has been learned from the 
study of the life history of the cattle tick and fi^om the fact that this 
tick infests pastures only transiently, never pennanently, and will 
not mature except upon cattle or equines, that its extennination is 
possible, and that the disease it causes may be prevented. The various 
methods with these results in view should be directed toward the 
destruction of ticks on cattle as well as their eradication from the 
pastui-es. The following discussion of methods of eradication is, 
largely taken from Fanners' Bulletin 378, which may be obtained^ 
on application to the Secretary of Agriculture. 

METHODS OF ERADICATION. 

In undertaking measures for eradicating the tick it is evident that 
the pest may be attacked in two locations, namely, on the pasture 
and on the cattle. 

In freeing pastures the method followed may be either a direct or 
an indirect one. The former consists in excluding all cattle, horses, 
and mules from pastures until all the ticks have died from starvation. 
The latter consists in permitting the cattle and other animals to con- 
tinue on the infested pasture and treating them at regular inter\ als 
with oils or other agents destructive to ticks and thus- preventing 
engorged females from dropping and reinfesting the pasture. The- 
larvfc on the pasture, or those which hatch from eggs laid by females 
already there, will all eventually meet death. Such of these as get 
upon the cattle from time to time will be destroyed by the treat- 



494 



DISEASES or CATTLE. 



ment, while those which fail to find a host will die in the pasture 
from starvation. 

Animals may be freed of ticks in two ways. They may be treated with 
an agent that will destroy all the ticks present, or they may be rotated 
at proper intervals on tick-free fields until all the ticks have dropped. 

Time required to kill ticks hy starvation. — The time required for 
the ticks to die out after all animals have been removed from infested 
fields and pastures varies considerably, depending principally on cli- 
matic and weather conditions. The dates when pastures will be free 
of ticks, beginning during each month of the year, are given in the 
following table : 

Time required to free pastures from ticks by starvation. 



Date of removal of all animals 
from pasture. 



Julyl 

August 1 

September 1 

October 1 to November 1, inclusive 
December 1 



Date when pas- 
ture will be free 
from ticks. 



March 1. 
May 1. 
Julyl. 
August 1. 
August 15. 



Date of removal of all animals 
from pasture. 



December 15 to March IS, inclusive. 

April 1 

April 15 

May 1 to June 15, inclusive 



Date when pas- 
ture will be free 
from ticks. 



September 1. 
September 15. 
October 15. 
November 1. 



The above table is based on investigations by Hunter and Hooker ^ 
at Dallas, Tex,, and by Graybill ^ at Auburn, Ala. All the periods 
obtained by Newell and Dougherty (1906)^ in work carried on at 
Baton Eouge, La., which is much fartlier south, are shorter. The 
above periods should be found ample for all localities lying no far- 
ther north than Dallas, Tex., or Auburn, Ala. The periods necessary 
to starve out an infestation for many localities in the southern part of 
the infested region are no doubt somewhat shorter than those given 
above. In general, moisture and cold prolong and dryness and heat 
shorten the duration of an infestation. If various portions of the 
same pasture differ with regard to temperature and moisture, as is 
frequently the case, some parts become free of ticks before others do. 
Other things being equal, high, dry, unshaded land becomes tick 
free sooner than low, damp, shady land. 

The simplest and safest plan in most cases, however, will be to 
follow the foregoing table in the region indicated for it. It is prob- 
able that the periods given in the table should be lengthened a little 
for the northern part of the infested region. The experiments con- 
ducted thus far in various places indicate this, and it will place the 
eradication work in that region on the safe side. For example, E. C. 

^ Bulletin 72, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department of .Vgriculture. 

* Bulletin 130, Bureau of Animal Indu.stry, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 

3 Circular 10, State Crop Pest Commission of Louisiana. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



495 



Cotton^ obtained at Knoxville, Tenn., records for September and 
April somewhat longer than those given above. They are as follows : 

Cattle removed April 15 ; pasture free of ticks November 13. 

Cattle removed September 15 ; pasture free of ticks July 18. 

In localities with temperature and other conditions similar to those 
at Knoxville, Tenn., these periods should be followed. 

2'ime required to render cattle free of ticks wlien placed on unin- 
fested fields. — Before discussing plans for rendering farms tick free, 
involving the use of the information given in the foregoing table, it 
will be necessary to indicate how animals may be entirely freed from 
ticks by placing them on uninfested fields. This is based on the fact 
that the female tick must drop from the host to the ground before 
eggs can be laid and before young ticks will develop. 

The shortest time in which seed ticks will appear after engorged 
females have been dropped is 20 days. Consequently cattle placed 
on a tick-free field during the warmer part of the year are not in 
danger of becoming infested again with young ticks until 20 days 
have elapsed. The time required for all the ticks to drop after cattle 
have been placed on uninfested land varies with the temperature. 
It is much longer during the winter than during the summer. The 
time required, beginning at various times of the year, is given in the 
following table : 

Time required for all ticks to drop from cattle placed on tick-free land. 



When ticky cattle are placed on 
tick-free land during — 



August . . . 
September 
October... 
November 
January . . 
February . 



All ticks will 
have dropped 



Six weeks. 

Do. 
Eight weeks. 
Nine weeks. 
Ten weeks. 
Seven weeks. 



When ticky cattle are placed on 
tick-free land during — 



March 
April. 

May. . 
June. . 
July.. 



All ticks wUl 

have dropped 

in— 



Seven weeks. 
Six weeks. 

Do. 

Do. 
Five weeks. 



Fr'eeing cattle of ticks hy rotation on tick-free land. — The plan of 
freeing cattle of ticks' by rotating them from one lot or field to an- 
other is as follows : Beginning at any time of the year from February 
to September, inclusive, the cattle are removed from the tick-infested 
pasture they have been occupying to a tick- free lot or field, and con- 
tinued there for not more than 20 days. During this time a con- 
siderable number of ticks will drop. In order to prevent the cattle 
from becoming reinfested (by seed ticks resulting from eggs laid by 
females that have dropped), the herd is then changed to a second 
tick- free inclosure for 20 days longer, and if they are not free of 
ticks by that time they are placed in a third tick-free inclosure for 
20 days more. Should the two changes at intervals of 20 days have 



^ Bulletin 81, Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Tennessee. 



496 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

been made, 60 days will have elapsed, which is ample time for all 
ticks to have dropped during the portion of the year indicated, and 
the animals are ready to be placed on a tick-free pasture or field 
without danger of becoming reinfested. The periods to free cattle 
(given in the above table) are believed to be ample. It will, however, 
be a wise precaution to make a careful examination of the cattle for 
ticks before placing them in the noninfested field they are to occupy. 

During the part of the year from October to January, inclusive, 
the time required for seed ticks to appear after females have dropped 
is much longer than the time necessary for all the ticks to drop from 
cattle. Consequently, if it is desired, the herd may be continued on 
the same field for the required length of time without danger of 
becoming reinfested. 

Freeing both cattle and pastures of ticks hy the rotation method. — 
The particular scheme of rotation to be followed on a farm depends 
much on the conditions which have to be met. In figures 1 to 4 
four plans of rotation are represented. In these diagrams no attempt 
has been made to indicate, except in a very rough way, the relative 
size of the fields, since this depends on the number of cattle and on 
various conditions of a more or less local nature. It rests with the 
farmer to select his fields with regard to location and size so as to 
carry out properly and successfully the plan which he adopts. 

The matter of the dissemination of ticks deserves particular atten- 
tion in considering rotation methods. The engorged females which 
drop on a pasture will crawl at most only a few feet. The same may 
be said of the larvae or seed ticks. It is possible, however, for seed 
ticks to be passively carried considerable distances at times. Dogs, 
cats, and other anmials which ordinarily pass unhindered over farms 
may become covered with seed ticks while going through one field, 
and later some of these may be brushed off the animal while passing 
through the herbage of an adjoining field. Even though the danger 
of ticks being spread in this manner is not great, it will be well, when 
practicable, to take precautions against it. 

Again, engorged females, eggs, and seed ticks may be carried by 
running water from a pasture without being injured in any way. 
The danger from this source is probably greatest where there are 
many small streams subject to frequent floods of short duration and 
on hillsides where the water runs off with gi-eat force during heavy 
rains. This will, no doubt, in some localities present a rather serious 
problem in tick eradication. 

Ticks may crawl from the edge of one pasture into an adjoining 
pastuie, or engorged females may drop from the heads of animals 
reaching through a dividing fence. These difficulties are best over- 
come by constnicting a double fence with an intervening space of 15 
feet. Such a double fejice, if the land does not slope gi-eatly. will 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



497 



also greatly reduce the danger of ticks being washed from one pas- 
ture to the other during rains. 

Plan requiring four and one-h<ilf months. — The plan of rotation 
represented in figure 1 requires four and a half months for its com- 



FIELD N0.2B. 
OCT 12. MOVE THE HERD. 
TO FIELD N0.3. 



0/iT~5_rOlLOW£D BY 
rOBflGE. 



FIELD N0.2A. 
SEPT.22.M0VE THE 
HERD TO FIELD 
NO 2 B. 



HELD N0.3. 
CORN. 

COtVPE/IS. 



NOV. I MOVE THE HERD TO 



FIELD NO. 4-. 

COTTON. 
FtrC OR CRIMSON 
CLOVE n. 



FIELD NO. 



P/iSTUBE: BERMUDA, \/ElCH,flND BUR CLOVER 



FIELD NO.I B. 
SFPT2 MOyE THE HERO TO FIELD 
NO. 2/1. KEEP OUT ALL RNIM/U.'S 
UNTIL JULY !,l^HEN THI3 FIELD 
WILL BE FREE OF TlCt^ ftND THE 
TEMPORmY DOUBLE FENCE M/IY BE 
REMO\/EO. 



FIELD NO. I R. 
JUNE (5. MOVE THE HEFiD TO FIELD 
NO.IB. KEEP OUT ALL flNlMffLS 
FF\OM THIS D/JTE UNTIL WOl/. I.WHtN 
THIS, FIELD l^ILL BE f REE 0FT/CK5. 



Fig. 1.- 



-rian for freeing cattle and pastures from ticks by rotation, requiring four and 
one-half months. 



pletion. Some time during the spring the pasture is divided in the 
middle by two lines of temporary fence 15 feet apart. The herd is 
first confined in field No. lA. On June 15 it is moved from this por- 
tion of the pasture to the other portion, designated field No. IB, and 
16923°— 12 82 



498 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

on September 2 is moved to field No. 2A. The cattle are permitted 
to remain 20 days on each of the fields designated 2 A, 2B, and 3. 
At the end of this time (Nov. 1) all the ticks on the cattle have 
dropped, and the herd is returned to field No. lA, which in the 
meantime has become free of ticks. Later, if it is desired, the cattle 
may be placed in field No. 4. They should not, however, be returned 
to any of the other fields or driven across them, since these are in- 
fested with ticks. Field No. IB will be free from ticks July 1 of the 
following year, at which time the temporary double fence may be 
removed and the cattle allowed to graze over the entire pasture. The 
rest of the farm will be free of ticks by August 1. If found desirable, 
the herd may be continued longer in field No. 3, even as late as Feb- 
ruary 15, the only objection to this being that it will break the crop 
rotation by preventing the sowing of oats in the fall. 

It is well, when practicable, to have double fences with an inter- 
vening space of 15 feet between the different fields in order to pre- 
vent the ticks getting from one field to another. If this is not pos- 
sible on account of the expense and time required to build the extra 
line of fence, the next best thing is to throw up with a plow several 
furrows on each side of the dividing fences. 

Wlien there are streams running through the farm or the slope of 
the land is considerable, so that ticks may be washed from one field 
to the other during rains, the fields should be so arranged or selected 
that the drainage is from field No. lA to No. IB, and from field No. 3 
toward fields Nos. 2A and 2B. 

Plan requiring eight months. — The plan indicated in figure 2 is 
begun fifteen days later than the preceding one and requires eight 
months for its completion. The pasture is divided as before. The 
herd is moved July 1 from field No. lA to No. IB, and on October 
15 is moved from there to field No. 2. The herd may be continued 
on fields Nos. 2 and 3 until February 15 in any way found most 
convenient, since there is no danger of young ticks hatching during 
that time. The herd is moved not later than February 15 to field 
No. 4. All the ticks on the cattle will have dropped by December 
20, consequently the herd may be moved to field No. 4 as early as 
that date, if found desirable. 

By March 1 the original pasture is free and the cattle are returned 
there. Field No. IB will be free of ticks by August 1, at which time 
the double fence separating the two parts of the pasture may be 
removed. The rest of the farm will not be certainly free of ticks 
until September 1. The drainage in general should be from field No. 
lA toward No. IB, and from field No. 4 toward field No. 2. 

Plan requiring four months, with a new pasture. — The plan of rota- 
tion represented in figure 3 involves changing the location of the 
pasture. The oat field (field No. 4) after the grain has been har- 
vested is reserved for this purpose. It should be sown in cowpeas, 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE, 



499 



Bermuda grass, and bur clover. The herd is moved October 15 from 
the original pasture, field No. 1, to field No. 2, where it may be kept 
for a month or two^ or until the feed becomes short, then moved to 
field No. 3, where it is kept until February 15, when it is moved to 



FIELD NO. 2. 

OAT.S. 



MOVE HERD TO FICLO 
NO. 3. 



FIELD N0.3. 

CORN. 

COtVPE/JS» 



C/IULE UILLBE FREE 
OrriCKS BY DEC. 20. 
BETWEEN THIS DATE 
flNDFEBR.15 MOVE THE 
HERO TO FIELD NO.'h. 



FIELD NO.'k 

COTTON. 
RYE AND 
WINTER LEGUMES. 



MflR.I.MOVE THE HERD 
TO FIELD NO. m. 



HOUSE 

lllllHill 



PERMANENT 

FIELD NO.I B. 
OCT. 1 5. MOVE THEHEHD TO FIELD 
NO. 2.. 



PASTURE. 



FIELD NO. I A. ^ 

JULY I.MOyE HERD TO PASTURE NO.I B. 
KEEP ALL /JNIMALS OUT OFTHIS 
FIEU3 UNTIL MRR.I,I^HEN IT.MLLBE 
FREE omens. 



Fig. 2. — Plan for freeing cattle and pastures from ticks by rotation, requiring eight 

months. 

the new pasture, field No. 4. The old pasture may be planted in oats. 
The drainage should be from field No. 4 toward field No. 2. 

The feed-lot or soiliTig method^ requiririg four and one-half 
months. — In the plan given in figure 4 the feed-lot or soiling method 



500 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



is made use of to fi-ee the cattle of ticks. In the spring field No. 3B, 
located near the farmyard, is sown in corn for a soiling crop. The 
area devoted to com should be sufficient to supply feed for the herd 
for five or six weeks. Field No. 3A, after the oats are harvested, 



ft ELD N 0.2. 

CORN. 


FIELD N0.3. 

COTTON FOLLOWED 
BY f:RlMSON CLOV£ft,V£TCH, 
BU/i CLOVER OR RY£. 


FIELD N0.4-. 

0/IT.5., 

COIa/PEAS, 
BERMUDA, 
BUR CLOVEh 


MOVE THE HERD EFtOM 
Wf6FIELDT0'FIELD . 
N0.3. 


FEBR. IS.MOI/EIHEHERD 
TV FIELD NO.^. 


BECOMES THE NEIV 
" P/ISTUREL. 










'iiiiiium 

HOUSE 

miiimiiii 


' 










FIELD NOi 
P/ISTUfiE. 
OCT. IS. MOVE HE.RD TO FIELD NO. 2. 
PLANT IN O/JT^ /IND FOLLOI^ I^ITH COI^PEfl^. 



Fig. 3. — rian for freeing cattle and pastures from ticks by rotation, requiring four 
months, with new pasture. 

should be sown in sorghum and cowpeas or millet and cowpeas, and 
should be large enough to furnish feed for the herd until November 
1. Tliese fields should not have had cattle on them for at least 10 
months. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



501 



Previous to June 15 three lots, each huge enough to accommodate 
the herd, are fenced off in field No. 3B. These lots should not be 
located on a stream^ and the drainage should be from field No. 3A 
toward field No. 3B. There should be a space of 15 feet or more 
between the lots. On June 15 the herd is moved to lot No. 1, and 
afterwards to lots Nos. 2 and 3 at intei'\'als of 20 days. After the 
cattle have spent the required time in lots Nos. 1 and 2, if it is found 



riELD NO. 4-. 
CORN. 



FIELD N0.3A , 

O^T<S. r 

SOFiGHUM AND ZOWPE/I^. I 

OR I 

MILL IT /I NO COh/PE/IS. 



FIELD N0.3B. 
DRILLED CORN FOR SOILING CROP 



NOI/.IF^ETURN HERD TO P/I^TURE. 



LOrNO.3. 
AUG. I^.MOI/l 
HERD TO 
FIELD NOS A 

- ^ 



L0TN0.2. 

JUiy2S.I10l/E 

HERDTO LOT 

NO. 3. 



LOT N 01. 
JULYS. MOI/E 
HERD TO LOT 
N0.^. 



FIELD NO. 2. 
ccmoN. 

COi^PEfld. 



FIELD NO. I. 
P/1STURE 
■^ JUNE 15. MOI/E HERD TO LO T NO. I. 

KEEP ALL ANIMALS OUT OF THI'S FIELD UNTILNOU 1,1^/HEN IT h/ILL 
BE FREE OF TICKS. 



Fig. 4. — Plan for freeing cattle and pastures from ticks by rotation ; feed-lot or soiling 

method. 

after a careful examination made by some one familiar with such 
work that the cattle are free of ticks, they may be turned directly 
into field No. 3A, If they are not free they should be placed in 
lot No. 3 until tliey are free, or, if this can not be determined with 



502 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

certainty, until 15 or 20 days more have elapsed, which will be 
much longer than necessaiT for all ticks to drop during Juh'^ and 
August. 

If desirable, the corn in each lot maj^ be cut and removed before 
the cattle are placed in it. As soon as possible after the cattle are 
removed from a lot the female ticks and eggs present on the ground 
should be plowed under and the ground along the fence sprayed 
with cnide petroleum or some other disinfectant to prevent any seed 
ticks which may hatch from getting beyond the area of the lot. 
Another valuable precaution will be to use for feed, as far as pos- 
sible, the com opposite or in advance of the lot in which the cattle 
are located, since this is less likely to harbor seed ticks. 

The pasture will be free of ticks by November 1^ and the cattle 
may then be returned there if desired. The herd may, however, be 
continued on field No. 3A as long after that date as the forage lasts, 
or, in case of a shortage of feed previous to November 1, it may be 
moved to either field No. 2 or 4, provided one of these is ready for 
pasturage. These fields may be used for fall and winter pasturage 
in any way that may be found desirable. 

Dipping, spraying, and hand dressing. — Ticks upon cattle may 
be destroyed by using various " tickicides," such as oils, arsenic, etc. 
These may be applied in three ways, namely, by hand, by the use 
of spray pumps, and by means of the dipping vat. 

Hand application is practicable only when a few animals are to be 
treated. The substances of value in this method are a mixture of 
lard and kerosene, cottonseed oil, or a half-and-half mixture of 
cottonseed oil and kerosene, and finally, crude petroleum, which 
in general has proved the most effective, although it has some draw- 
backs, chief of which are the difficulty of obtaining oil of the proper 
quality, its expense, its bulk, which makes its transportation costly, 
and the liability of injury to cattle when the treatment is applied in 
hot weather. Any of these may be applied with a mop or a good- 
sized paint brush, but unless great pains are taken this method of 
treatment is not thorough, and even at the best some portions of the 
body where ticks may be located will be missed. 

Spraying is adapted for small-sized herds. The arsenical mixture 
or the crude petroleum or emulsions of the same may be applied by 
means of an ordinary pail spraying pump (fig. 5). There are also 
pumps on the market designed for making a temporary mechanical 
mixture of oil and water. Cottonseed oil, or cottonseed oil and kero- 
sene in a half-and-half mixture, or crude petroleum, may be used in 
these pumps, and a 20 per cent mixture of any one of these will kill 
most of the ticks. 

Dipping in a vat is on the whole the best and cheapest method of 
appl3'ing remedies when large herds are to be treated. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 503 

Dipping in a vat. — Farms and pastures may be freed of ticks by 
treating all cattle at regular intervals with an effective tick-destroy- 
ing agent. If the treatment is applied with such success as to destroy 
all ticks that reach the cattle from time to time, thus preventing 
any engorged females from dropping on the pasture after the begin- 
ning of the treatment, the pasture will become free of ticks after 
the same period of thne has elapsed as would have been required 




Fig. 5. — Pall spraying pump for small herds. 



if all animals had been excluded, beginning on the same date; that 
is, a perfectly successful treatment would be practically the same as 
the complete exclusion of the herd. The dates on which the starving 
out of an infestation will be effected when begun at various times 
of the year have already been given in the table on page 494. In 
actual practice, however, the best treatment will in many cases not 
be absolutely successful, as some ticks will escape and may reinfest 
the pasture, and thus prolong the time necessaiy to accomplish 



504 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

eradication. This method offers the advantage that the pasture may 
be used continuously. 

Many efforts have been made to discover a practical method for 
dipping cattle to destroy ticks without injury to the cattle, and the 
bureau has experimented for years with this object in view. Numer- 
ous kinds of dips have been used and many failures have been 
recorded, but the most successful results have been obtained by the 
use of an arsenic solution, the formula for which is as follows : 

In preparing each 500 gallons of the standard arsenical solution there should 
be used 10 pounds of finely powdered white arsenic containing not less than 99 
per cent of arsenic trioxid, 25 pounds of sal soda, and 1 gallon of pine tar. The 
arsenic and sal soda should be boiled together In not less than 25 gallons of 
water for 15 minutes, or longer if necessary to effect complete solution of the 
arsenic. Before the pine tar is added the temperature of the solution should be 
reduced to 140° F. This may be done by the addition of cold water. The pine 
tar should then be added in a small stream while the solution is thoroughly 
stirred, after which the solution should be immediately diluted with clear water 
sufficient to make 500 gallons of dip. > 

A dip prepared on the basis of the foregoing formula will contain 
the proportion of arsenic required at the present time (1911) by the 
regulations of the Bureau of Animal Industry relative to the treat- 
ment of cattle which are to enter interstate commerce from tick- 
infested areas. 

When repeated treatments at intervals of two or three weeks are 
given and continued over considerable periods of time, as is com- 
monly done in eradicating ticks by the dipping method, and when 
immediate removal of the jcattle to tick-free areas is not contemplated, 
the amount of arsenic may be reduced below that demanded for official 
dippings. A dipping solution prepared in the proportion of 8 pounds 
of arsenic to 500 gallons of dip has been found very satisfactory for 
eradication work and is less likely to have injurious effects on cattle 
than the stronger solution. Some users of the dip believe that the 
addition of soap to this weaker solution is an improvement. If 
soap is used it should be cut up and either dissolved in hot water in 
a separate container or dissolved in the hot arsenic and soda solution. 
For 500 gallons of dip about 25 pounds of soap may be added. It 
may also be found of advantage in the 8-pound arsenical solution to 
increase the quantity of pine tar to 2 or 3 gallons. 

Precautions in use of arsenic. — On account of the fact that arsenic 
is a dangerous poison, great care must be observed in making and 
using the arsenical dip. From the time the ai'senic is procured from 
the druggist until the last particle of unused residue is properly dis- 
posed of, scrupulous care should be taken in handling this poison. 
Guessing at weights or measures or carelessness in any particular is 
liable to result in great damage, and not only may valuable live stock 
be destroyed, but human beings may lose their lives as well. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 505 

In the use of arsenical clips care should be taken not only to avoid 
swallowing any of the dip, but persons using the dip should also bear 
in mind the possibility of absorbing arsenic through cuts, scratches, 
or abrasions of the skin, and the possibility of absorbing arsenic by 
inhalation of vapors from the boiler in which the dip is prepared, 
or by the inhalation of the finely divided spray when the spray pump 
is used. It should be remembered that the absorption of even very 
small quantities of arsenic if repeated from day to day is liable 
ultimately to result in arsenical poisoning. 

Cattle should always be watered a short time before they are 
dipped. After they emerge from the vat they should be kept on a 
draining floor until the dip ceases to run from their bodies; then 
they should be placed in a yard free of vegetation until they are 
entirely dry. If cattle are allowed to drain in places where pools 
of dip collect, from which they may drink, or are turned at once on 
the pasture, where the dip will run from their bodies on the grass 
and other vegetation, serious losses are liable to result. Crowding 
the animals before they are dry should also be avoided, and they 
should not be driven any considerable distance within a week after 
dipping, especially in hot weather. If many repeated treatments are 
given the cattle should not be treated oftener than every two weeks. 

In addition to properly protecting vats containing arsenical dif) 
when not in use, another precaution must be observed when vats are 
to be emptied for cleaning. The dip should not be poured or allowed 
to flow on land and vegetation to which cattle or other animals have 
access. The best plan is to run the dip in a pit properly protected by 
fences. The dip should also not be deposited where it may be carried 
by seepage into wells or spring which supply water used on the farm. 
The same precautions should be observed when animals are sprayed 
as when they are dipped. 

Crude petroleum. — Various kinds of crude petroleum have been 
used with more or less success in destroying ticks. The heavier vari- 
eties of oil are very injurious to cattle. On the other hand, the very 
light oils are so volatile that their effects last but a short time, thus 
rendering them less efficient. The petroleum known as Beaumont oil, 
obtained from Texas wells, has given the best results. The best grade 
of this oil to use is one that has a specific gravity ranging from 22|° 
to 24J° Beaume, containing 1| to 1| per cent of sulphur, and 40 per 
cent of the bulk of which boils between 200° and 300° C. The oil 
may be applied by employing a spray pump or a dipping vat. 

Animals that have been dipped in crude oil, especially during 
wann weather, should not be driven any great distance immediately 
afterwards, and should be provided with shade and an abundance 
of water. Unless these precautions are observed serious injury and 
losses may result. 



506 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

Emulsions of crude petroleum. — In the majority of cases in which 
an oily dip is desired the best agent to use is an emulsion of crude 
l^etroleum, preferably Beaumont crude petroleum. The use of the 
emulsion makes the treatment less expensive than when the oil alone 
is used. The emulsion is not so injurious to the cattle and is almost 
if not quite as effective as the oil alone. The formula for preparing 
an emulsion of crude petroleum is as follows : 

Hard soap pound— 1 

• Soft or freestone water gallon — 1 

Beaumont crude petroleum gallons— 4 

Making 5 gallons of 80 per cent stock emulsion. 

When a greater quantity of stock emulsion is desired, each of the 
quantities in the above formula should be multiplied by such a num- 
ber as to furnish the required amount. For example, if it should be 
convenient to mix 10 gallons at one time, the quantities would have 
to be multiplied by 2, and if 15 gallons were desired, they would 
have to be multiplied by 3, and so on. 

In preparing the emulsion the soap should be shaved up and placed 
in a kettle or caldron containing the required amount of water. The 
water should be brought to a boil and stirred until the soap is en- 
tirely dissolved. Enough water should be added to make up for the 
loss by evaporation during this process. The soap solution and the 
required amount of oil are then placed in a barrel or some other 
convenient receptacle and mixed. The mixing may be effected by 
the use of a spray pump, pumping the mixture through and through 
the pump until the emulsion is formed. A convenient and time- 
saving method is to do the mixing in a barrel by first pouring in one 
part of hot soap solution and then four parts of crude petroleum, 
and repeating this until the barrel is filled. The oil should be poured 
in with as much force as possible, and the mixture stirred constantly 
with a long paddle until the oil is completely emulsified. The mix- 
ing is facilitated also by dipping up the mixture and pouring it back 
with a pail. If made properly, this stock emulsion is permanent and 
will keep indefinitely. 

To prepare the stock emulsion for use it is diluted with water to 
a 20 or 25 per cent emulsion. In order to obtain a 20 per cent emul- 
sion of oil it is necessary to use 1 part of the stock emulsion to 3 
parts of water, and for a 25 per cent emulsion 1 part of stock emul- 
sion to 2^ parts of water. The stock emulsion is permanent, but the 
diluted emulsion does not remain uniformly mixed, so that if allowed 
to stand it should be thoroughly mixed by stirring before using. 
Only rain or freestone water should be used for diluting, and if this 
is not available the water should be " softened " by adding a sufficient 
amount of concentrated lye, sal soda, or washing powder. Care 
should be observed in this process not to use an excess of these prep- 
arations. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 507 

The method usually adopted in dipping cattle is to construct a 
narrow swimming tank with a chute at one end for the entrance of 
the cattle, and a sloping exit at the other end where the cattle emerge 
after passing through the vat. A drip chute, or floor, is connected 
with the exit where the excess of dip is allowed to drip off the animals 
and to drain into the vat. Plans and specifications for installing 
dipping plants are published in Farmers' Bulletin 378 and Bureau 
of Animal Industry Circulars 174 and 183, which may be obtained 
from this department. It is relatively more expensive to dip cattle 
in the South, where the farms and plantations contain a small num- 
ber of cattle, than in the range country of the Southwest, where this 
method of eradicating ticks becomes not only plausible and prac- 
ticable, but also economical. 

IMMUNIZATION OF SUSCEPTIBLE CATTLE. 

By hlood inoculation. — It is often desirable to ship well-bred cattle 
into infested districts that they may be used to improve the quality 
of the native cattle already there. Previous to the discovery of the 
cause of Texas fever it was found to be well-nigh impossible to intro- 
duce purebred cattle from the North into any of the infected regions 
without suffering great loss — sometimes as high as 90 per cent — within 
a few months of their arrival at their southern destination. At first 
it was thought that the fatalities were due to climatic changes, but 
later the discovery was made that Texas fever was causing these 
numerous deaths. 

It has now been found practicable to immunize this class of cattle 
so perfectly that the losses which follow their transportation to a 
tick-infested region are reduced to a minimum. Young animals 6 to 
15 months old should, so far as possible, be selected for this purpose, 
as they are more readily immunized than adults, are more easilj'' 
handled, and the dangers which may arise from pregnancy while 
undergoing the immunizing treatment are thus avoided. 

Immunity in these cattle is obtained by introducing the micro- 
parasite of the blood into their systems. It may be done by direct 
artificial inoculation or by placing virulent young ticks upon the 
animals and allowing them to perform the inoculation in the natural 
manner. The subcutaneous injection of a small amount of defibri- 
nated virulent blood has been found, by means of prolonged experi- 
ment, the preferable method, as the number of microorganisms intro- 
duced can be more accurately gauged from the syringe than by 
allowing the infection to be produced by bites of ticks. Two or three 
inoculations, if repeated at proper intervals, are accomplished with 
greater safety to the animal than would be possible by means of a 
single inoculation. The amount first injected should be small and 
then gradually increased in the succeeding treatments. 



508 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

The inoculation always results on a more or less serious attack of 
Texas fever. Besides having a fever, there is great diminution of 
red blood corpuscles, and in about 3 per cent of the cases a fatal ter- 
mination ; but the proportion of deaths resulting from the inoculation 
is small when compared with the fatalities among untreated animals 
taken into infested districts. To this nmnber should be added those 
animals (less than 7 per cent) that do not receive suflficient immunity 
by this method and "which succumb when exposed to infested pastures. 
Combining these failures it will be seen that by this method of 
innnunization, instead of a loss of 90 per cent among breeding stock 
taken South more than 90 per cent can be saved. The animals should 
be carefully nursed through the attack and their symptoms treated 
as indicated on page 511. 

Immunizing inoculations are now being made by the veterinarians 
of most of the agricultural experiment stations of the Southern States 
without cost for the services rendered, a charge being made merely 
for the actual value of food consumed and attendants' wages. These 
veterinarians have also issued station bulletins which describe fully 
the necessary steps to be taken in securing the blood and injecting it 
into the animals to be immunized, so that the stock owner can follow 
the instructions with prospects of getting good results. 

This operation is not a difficult one, and excellent results will 
follow where absolute cleanliness and ordinary care have been used, 
but undoubtedly the best results will be obtained by those who have 
thoroughly familiarized themselves with the nature of the disease 
and are experienced in extracting blood from animals. Two methods 
are in use and will be described separately. One consists in drawing 
the blood from the jugular vein of an immune animal and immedi- 
ately injecting it into the cattle to be immunized. It is compara- 
tively simple, requires few instruments, and can be satisfactorily 
carried out where a small number of animals are to be immunized 
and if a suitable immune animal is close at hand. First, select an 
immune animal which is in good health and which is infested with 
fever ticks or had them the preceding year. Fasten the animal 
securely, either by tying, throwing, or by placing in a chute. Clip 
the hair from a space about 4 inches in diameter over the jugvdar 
vein on the upper third of the neck, wash the skin thoroughly with 
a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid, and then fasten a strap or rope 
around the neck below the hairless area and draw it tight in order 
that the blood in the vein will be stopped, causing distension. With 
a large hypodermic syringe needle, previously sterilized in a 5 per 
cent carbolic-acid solution, puncture the vein at a slight angle, di- 
recting the point forward. AMien the needle enters the vein the 
point can be rotated freely in contrast to the restricted movements 
if slill in the tissues, and the blood will either drop or flow from the 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 509 

opening in the needle. Attach the disinfected syringe to the needle 
with piston in and gi'adually draw out the piston until the chamber 
of the syringe is full of blood, when the needle is withdrawn. The 
blood, before it has had time to clot, is immediately injected into the 
animals to be immunized and which have been previously tied or 
restrained, the hair clipped, and the skin disinfected at the seat of 
injection in the region of the shoulder. Inject then from 1 to 3 c. c, 
according to the age of the animal, under the skin of each animal 
until the blood is exhausted. When more animals are to be inocu- 
lated than one syringeful will inject, the operation may be repeated 
in the same manner. The only objection to this method is the possi- 
bility of the blood clotting in the syringe, but with practice and 
promptness this can easily be overcome. 

The second method is better suited for the inoculation of a large 
number of cattle or where the immune animal is at a distance from 
the cattle to be immunized. 

The preliminary steps — the clipping of the hair, disinfection of 
the skin, placing the rope around the neck to distend the jugular 
vein, and restraining the animal — are the same as for the first method. 
In puncturing the vein it is advisable to use a small trocar and cannula 
after sterilization in a 5 per cent carbolic-acid solution, and, when 
the vein has been entered, to draw out the trocar, allowing the blood 
to flow through the cannula into a perfectly clean and sterile vessel. 
After sufficient blood has been drawn for the animals to be injected, 
a clean stick, previously sterilized by boiling in water, is placed in 
the vessel containing the blood and the latter is stirred for 10 min- 
utes or so or until the fibrin in the blood is whipped out. The remain- 
ing blood, known as defibrinated blood, is then inoculated under the 
disinfected skin of the animals to be immunized, as in the first 
method. This blood should be used as early as possible after draw- 
ing, to prevent it from becoming contaminated and decomj>osed. 
The place where this injection is made is immaterial, but for con- 
venience a point just behind the shoulder is usually chosen. The 
dose and number of injections vary with the individual animals. As 
a rule, it may be stated that 1 cubic centimeter should be injected into 
an old animal coming into the infested district, 2 cubic centimetei's 
for a 2-year-old, and 3 cubic centimetei"s for an animal 9 to 15 months 
old. It will be obsei*ved that, unlike the usual custom of applying 
treatment, the older animals take less than the young ones, owing to 
their greater susceptibility to the disease. Where an animal has re- 
acted well to a first injection and shows a very high temperature, 
great reduction of red blocd cells, or other symptoms indicative of 
reaction, it will not be necessary to repeat the injection, but in those 
cases where the reaction is slight, a second injection should follow 
after an interval of 40 days, and, if need be, a third injection after 



610 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

a similar lapse of time, always increasing the size of dose 50 per cent. 
A thermometer, to indicate the course and severity of the disease, 
is indispensable in this work. Usually, after 3 to 10 days, some- 
times longer, the inoculated animals show a mild type of Texas fever, 
which runs a course of from 6 to 8 days and is followed in about 
30 days after the injection with a second attack of a milder char- 
acter than the first. After 40 days, when the animal has entirely 
recovered from the inoculation, a second injection may be given 
to increase its immunity. In some cases a very severe type of fever 
follows the first inoculation, requiring careful nursing and treatment, 
as suggested above. A second, milder attack follows usually in about 
30 to 40 days, after which the animal need have no further inocula- 
tions. It is advisable to prevent any ticks from getting on the cattle 
until 60 days after their inoculation or until they have fully recov- 
cied, at which time a few ticks may be placed upon them in order to 
reenforce their immunity. Naturally this time varies according to 
the type of the attack. As the best results with these immunizing 
experiments have been obtained in cool weather and with young 
cattle, it is recommended that animals from 6 to 15 months old be 
selected for inoculation, and that they be immunized during the late 
fall or winter months, in order that they may enter tick-infested 
pastures in the spring without danger. 

By infesting with ticks. — Immunity may also be induced in suscep- 
tible animals by placing a limited number of fever ticks upon their 
bodies in order to produce the disease naturally. For this purpose 
only animals less than 1 year of age should be used, as the method is 
not applicable for older and more susceptible animals. Upon the 
bodies of these young cattle from 25 to 50 seed ticks should be 
placed, which in the course of about 10 days will occasion a rise 
of temperature and a mild form of Texas fever. When the animal 
has entirely recovered from this attack, a second crop — double the 
number first used — should be applied to the animal in order to in- 
crease its power of resistance when pastured on infested soil. In 
order to carry out this method successfully, a constant supply of seed 
ticks must be at hand. This can be accomplished by placing the 
mature females in a Mason fruit jar among some dirt and leaves and 
keeping them in a warm place. In a few weeks the eggs will have 
been laid and hatched, and a number of seed ticks will be present for 
use in infesting the cattle to be immunized. By placing a few adult 
females in the jar every two months there will always be a supply of 
these young ticks. This method of producing immunity by controlled 
tick infestation is not so safe as blood inoculation, since the quantity 
of germs injected can be more accurately regulated by means of a 
syringe. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 511 

TREATMENT. 

Wlien the disease has broken out, all animals, the sick as well as 
the healthy, should at once be removed to another noninfected pas- 
ture. "WTiile this may not cut short the disease, it may save the lives 
of some by removing them from the possibility of being attacked by 
more young ticks. Removal from infected pastures lil^ewise prevents 
a second later attack, in October or early in November, which is 
caused by another generation of ticks. It is true that sick natives 
infect with a new generation of ticks the pasture to which they are 
removed, but these usually appear so late that they have but little 
opportunity to do any damage. Hence, sick natives do not, as a 
rule, cause visible disease in other natives. 

It is of importance to remove all ticks, as far as this is possible, 
from sick animals, since they abstract a considerable amount of 
blood and thereby retard the final recovery. 

Medical treatment of the sick has generally been unsatisfactory, 
although in chronic cases and those occuring late in the fall bene- 
ficial results have followed. If the animal is constipated, a drench 
containing 1 pound of Epsom salt dissolved in 1 quart of water 
should be administered, followed hj the sulphate of quinine in doses 
of 30 to 90 grains, according to the size of the animal, four times a 
day until the system is well saturated with it. Tincture of digitalis 
one-half ounce and whisky or alcohol 2 ounces may be combined with 
the quinine, according to indications of individual cases. An iron 
tonic containing reduced iron 2 ounces, powdered gentian 4 ounces, 
powdered nux vomica 2 ounces, powdered rhubarb 2 ounces, and 
potassium nitrate 6 ounces will be found beneficial in the convales- 
cent stage when the fever has run its course. This tonic should be 
given in heaping tablespoonful doses three times a day in the food. 
Good nursing is essential in treating these cases, and the animal 
should be given a nutritious laxative diet with plenty of clean and 
cool drinking water and allowed to rest in a quiet place. If the 
stable or pasture is infested with ticks, the animal should be placed 
in a tick-free inclosure to prevent additional infestation with these 
parasites and the introduction of fresh infection into ihe blood. 
Furthermore, remove from the sick cattle all ticks that can be seen, 
as they keep weakening the animal by withdrawing a considerable 
quantity of blood, and thereby retard recovery. 

QUARANTINE REGULATIONS. 

The sanitary regulations issued by the Department of Agriculture 
for the control of cattle shipments from the infected districts have 
for their initial purpose the prevention of the transportation of 
cattle ticks from infected regions to those that are not infected, either 
upon cattle or in stock cars or other conveyer, during the season of 
the year when infection is possible. They are based upon the fact 



512 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

that Texas fever is can'ied north only by the cattle tick, and the 
exclusion of this parasite fi*om the noninfected territoi-y has in every 
instance been found a certain method of excluding Texas fever. 
The regulations governing the movement of cattle from below the 
quarantine line are made yearly by the Secretary of Agriculture, 
and they define the boundary of infected districts. The infected 
area as now determined includes the teiTitory south of an imaginary 
line which commences on the Atlantic coast on the Virginia-North 
Carolina boundaiy and passes in a westerly direction through Vir- 
ginia. North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, along the northern 
border of Arkansas, and through Oklahoma and the western part of 
Texas to the Eio Grande and the Mexican border, whence it passes 
along the southern boundaiy of New Mexico and Arizona and across 
the lower portion of California to the Pacific slope. (See PI. LI.) 
In consequence of the enforcement of these quarantine regulations, 
Texas fever has been practically prevented in the noninfected dis- 
tricts for several years, and little or no hardship has been caused to 
stockmen handling cattle from the infected areas. Previous to the 
adoption of these regulations the tick-infested district was rapidly 
extending northward, but since the quarantine line was established 
and rational regulations enforced it has gradually been moved farther 
south. This problem of still further reducing the infected area is of 
the greatest importance to the cattlemen of the South— -in fact, to 
those on both sides of the line — and one which is receiving special 
consideration by this department as well as by many of the interested 
States. 

TICK ERADICATION. 

Systematic cooperative work by the Federal Government and the 
affected States for the eradication of the cattle ticks which transmit 
Texas fever was begim in the summer of 1906 under authority given 
by Congress in the appropriation act for the Department of Agricul- 
ture. The first Federal appropriation for the fiscal year ended June 
30, 1907, was $82,500, and for the fiscal year 1908 an appropriation 
of $150,000 was made. Annually since then $250,000 has been appro- 
priated by Congress for the continuation of the work. Funds have 
also been provided by States and counties. 

The original infected area amounted to 741,515 square miles. Of 
this territory there has been released from quarantine as a result of 
the work above mentioned 147,648 square miles (up to Nov. 1, 1911). 
In other words, about one-fifth of the area has been freed from ticks 
in a little-over five years. 

Great improvement has already resulted from this work in the 
released territory. More cattle are being raised, and a better giade 
of breeding stock is being introduced; calves grow faster, and cattle 
put on flesh more rapidly during the grazing season and go into the 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 513 

winter in better condition because of the absence of the ticks; they 
can be marketed witliout quarantine restrictions, and higher prices 
are being obtained ; dairy cows give a larger yield of milk ; and values 
of farm lands are enhanced. 

The difl'erence between the prices realized for cattle from the tick- 
infested region and the prices of cattle of similar grades from above 
the quarantine line ranges from $2.25 to $5 a head at the principal 
northern live-stock markets, without taking into account the im- 
provement in quality and weight of cattle because of the eradication 
of the ticks. As more than 1,000,000 cattle from the quarantined 
area are annually sold in these markets, it can easily be seen that the 
extermination of the ticks means an annual increase of at least 
$3,000,000 in the prices obtained for southern cattle sold in northern 
markets. In addition to this, the increase in prices of cattle sold 
locally in the South would represent a large sum. This local increase 
has already been found to amount to from $3 to $15 a head in the 
territory recently freed from ticks. An agricultural official of one 
of the Southern States reports that calves in the tick-free area bring 
just double the prices that can be obtained for similar calves in the 
tick-infested region. 

Heretofore it has been impracticable to improve the quality of 
southern cattle by introducing fine breeding animals from other sec- 
tions, because such animals were liable to contract Texas fever and 
die unless protected by inoculation. Furthermore, it is impossible 
for animals to attain good growth and to thrive when they are 
heavily infested with ticks. With the eradication of the ticks, how- 
ever, the southern farmers are enabled to introduce good breeding 
animals and to improve the grade of their stock. 

There is no longer any doubt that it is entirely practicable to 
exterminate the ticks throughout the entire region, and the accom- 
plishment of this result will be of tremendous economic advantage 
not only to the South but to the whole country. The rate of progress 
depends mainly on two factors — the amounts appropriated by the 
Federal and State Governments, and the cooperation of the people. 

CHRONIC BACTERIAL DYSENTERY. 

Chronic bacterial dysentry is a chronic infectious disease of bovines 
caused by an acid-fast bacillus simulating the tubercle bacillus and 
characterized by marked diarrhea, anemia, and emaciation, terminat- 
ing in death. 

Recently this disease has been observed in the United States for 
the first time by Pearson in Pennsylvania cattle, and later by Mohler 
in Virginia cattle, and in an imported heifer from the island of 
Jersey at the Athenia quarantine station of the Bureau of Animal 
Industry. 

16923°— 12 33 



514 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The former has proposed the name chronic bacterial dysentery for 
this affection, and it has a^so Ijeen termed Johne's disease, chronic 
bacterial enteritis, chronic hypertrophic enteritis, and chronic bovine 
pseudotuberculosis enteritis by various European investigators. The 
disease was first studied in 1895 by Johne and Frothingham in Dres- 
den, but they were inclined to attribute the cause of the peculiar 
lesions of enteritis which they observed to the avian tubercle bacillus. 
In 1901 Markus reported this disease in Holland, and subsequently 
it was observed in Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, and Great 
Britain. 

Cause. — The bacillus, which has been invariably demonstrated in 
the intestinal lesions and mesenteric lymj)h glands in this disease, is 
a rod about 2 to 3 microns long and 0.5 micron wide. It stains more 
or less irreerularlv like the tubercle bacillus, and moreover the simi- 
larity goes further in that the organism is also strongly acid-fast, 
which facts led Johne and Frothingham to surmise that the disease 
was caused by avian tubercle bacilli. However, it has now been 
plainly demonstrated that the bacillus of chronic bacterial dysentery 
is readily distinguished from the latter organisms, for while it resem- 
bles the tuljercle bacillus in form and staining qualities, no one has 
succeeded in growing it in culture media or in reproducing the dis- 
ease by injecting experiment animals. 

Symptoms. — Probably the first symptom noticed is that the animal 
is losing condition despite the fact that its appetite is good and the 
food nourishing. This is soon followed by a diarrhea which, while 
moderate at first, soon becomes excessive and may be either irregular 
or persistent, the feces being of the consistency of molasses and passed 
frequently. In the meantime the hair becomes dry and harsh and 
the animal falls off considerably in weight. The temperature, how- 
ever, remains about normal. The appetite does not seem to be greatly 
impaired until the last few weeks of life, but nevertheless emaciation 
continues, the animal becomes more and more anemic, great muscu- 
lar weakness and exhaustion are manifested, and death follows, 
apparently as the result of the persistent diarrhea and great emacia- 
tion. The disease may continue for four or five weeks or may last 
for a year or even longer before death intervenes. 

Lesions. — The lesions observed on post-mortem are remarkably 
slight and out of all proportion to the severity of the symptoms mani- 
fested. The disease appears to start in the small intestines, especially 
in the lower portion, where the lesions are usuall}^ the most marked, 
but it also involves the large intestines, including the rectum. The 
mucous membrane may alone be affected, although usually in the 
long-standing cases the submucosa is also invaded and the entire 
intestinal wall is then much thicker than normal and the tissue 
infiltrated with an inflammatory exudate. The mucous membrane 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 515 

or inside lining membrane is markedly wrinkled or corrugated, 
showing larije coarse folds with more or less reddening or hemor- 
rhagic patches or spots on the smnmits of the ridges, esjjecially notice- 
able in the large intestines. The mesenteric lymph glands are usually 
somewhat enlarged and appear watery on section. The other organs 
do not appear to be affected except from the anemia present in the 
later stages of the disease. 

Differential diagnosis. — The principal disease with which bacterial 
d3'sentery may be confused is tuberculosis, but the application of the 
tuberculin test will readily diagnose the latter disease, while no reac- 
tion will be noted in case the injected animal is suffering with the 
former affection. The disease may also be mistaken for the parasitic 
affections resulting from stomach worms (verminous gastritis) and 
intestinal parasites, especially uncinariasis, but a microscopic exami- 
nation of the feces is necessary in order to establish definitely the 
diagnosis. 

Treatment. — As with all other forms of infectious disease, it is 
advisable to separate immediately the diseased and suspected cattle 
from the healthy animals. The feces passed by the former animals 
should be placed on cultivated soil where healthy cattle would not 
be exposed to them, as the bacilli producing the disease are readily 
found in such manure. The stalls, stables, and barnyards should 
also be thoroughly disinfected, as has been described under " Tuber- 
culosis," in this chapter, special attention being given to those places 
which have been soiled by feces. The administration of medicines 
has thus far been quite unsatisfactory, although treatment should be 
directed toward disinfecting the intestines with intestinal antisep- 
tics, such as creolin in 2 teaspoonful doses twice daily or tannopin in 
1 dram doses twice daily, and strengthening the animal by the use 
of stimulants such as strychnin in half-grain doses given twice daily 
hypodermically. Salol, turpentine, or subnitrate of bismuth in a 
starch or wheat-flour gruel may also give temporary relief, but the 
diarrhea is likely to reappear and cause the death of the animal. In 
all cases the food must be carefully selected to assure good quality, 
and should consist preferably of nutritious dry feed. 

NAGANA. 

Nagana, also called tsetse fly disease, is an infectious fever occur- 
ring chiefly in horses and cattle, characterized by alternating par- 
oxysms and intermissions and produced by a specific flagellate proto- 
zoan {Trypanosoma Brucei) in-lhe blood. It is probably transmitted 
from animal to animal solely by the bites of the tsetse fly. This 
insect is something like a large house fly, and when it settles on a 
diseased animal sucks the blood and infects its proboscis, it is enabled 
on biting a second animal to infect the latter by direct inoculation. 



516 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

This disease is found throughout a hirge portion of central and 
southern Africa, along the low-lying and swampy valleys. It has 
never occurred in the United States, nor is it known to be present in 
the Philippines, but its relation to surra and the possibility of its 
appearance in one of our island dependencies are the reasons for 
including a few remarks at this time. 

Symptoms. — The chief symptoms in addition to the fever, which is 
usually about 104° to 105° F., are the muscular Avasting, progressive 
anemia, and loss of power, together with the edema most marked 
about the head, legs, abdomen, and genital organs. The urine i^ 
yellow and turbid, and occasionally contains albumin and blood. 
There is paralysis of one or both of the hind legs, difficult urination 
and defecation, labored breathing, discharge from the eyes and nose, 
extreme thirst, and gradual extension of paralysis to other parts of 
the body. The disease runs a chronic course, lasting from three to 
six weeks in horses, and from one to six months in cattle. Besides 
these animals, the mule, ass, buffalo, antelope, hyena, camel, and 
dog contract the disease naturally, and sheep, goats, cats, and small 
laboratory animals succumb to artificial inoculation. 

Lesions. — The spleen and lymphatic glands are enlarged. There 
are sero-fibrinous exudates in the body cavities, the liver is enlarged 
and engorged, heart flabby, and a catarrhal condition is present in the 
respiratory passages. Pathological changes occur in the spinal cord. 
The finding of the trypanosoma by microscopic examination of the 
blood will be conclusive evidence for diagnosis. 

Treat7nent. — Treatment has not proved satisfactory. Quinine, 
arsenic, methylene blue, and other drugs have been used, but with- 
out success. Endeavors thus far made to produce immunity from 
this disease have likewise been unavailing. 

CATTLE FARCY. 

This is a chronic disease of cattle occurring in France and the 
island of Guadeloupe, West Indies. It is characterized by caseating 
nodular swellings, first of the skin and afterwards of the superficial 
lymphatic vessels and glands, finally proving fatal within a year by 
extension to the viscera. The swellings rupture and discharge a 
purulent yellowish fluid, which contains the causative organism. 
This affection, called farcin du hoeuf by the French, resembles cuta- 
neous glanders or farcy of horses, but is caused by an entirely different 
organism, the' streptothrix of Nocard. Moreover, cattle are immune 
from glanders, and for this reason the name, unfortunately applied 
to this disease, should not lead to any confusion with the cutaneous 
glanders or farcy of horses. Although the disease has been described 
as occurring only in Guadeloupe and France, the possibility of its 
occurrence in our new possessions warrants its mention in this chapter. 



INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 517 

Treatment. — Treatment consists in making incisions into the swell- 
ings and syringing them out with 5 per cent creolin or carbolic acid. 
The cavities may then be packed with cotton soaked in 5 per cent 
zinc chlorid solution. The swollen lymphatics may also be bathed or 
covered with cloths wrung out in this solution. 

NOTE. 

The following are also infectious diseases of cattle, a discussion of 
which will be found in previous chapters: 

Page. 

Contagious abortion 169 

White scour of calves 266 

Infectious oplatlialuiia (pink eye) 357 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 

By B. H. Ransom, Ph. D., 
Chief of Zoological Division, Bureau of Animal Industry. 

The animal parasites of cattle comprise more than a hundred 
different species, belonging to various groups of the animal king- 
dom. Fortunately not all of these parasites occur in this country — 
many are uncommon, and many are comparatively harmless. Some 
forms, however, occur frequently, and some are of distinct impor- 
tance to the American stockman on account of the damage for which 
they are responsible. It is these parasites particularly which will 
be considered in the present article, and although some forms are 
discussed which are rare or apparently of little economic importance, 
most of the minor and unusual parasites and species not found in 
this country have been neglected. 

FLIES.^ 

Of the various species of flies which infest cattle some are inju- 
rious on account of the annoyance, pain, and loss of blood due to 
their bites, and sometimes also on account of diseases or parasites 
which are thus transmitted from the blood of diseased animals to 
the blood of healthy cattle, while others, which in the winged adult 
state do not bite, are injurious because they live parasitic in cattle 
during their larval stages. 

Remedies for fies. — There are various remedies to be had, which 
are more or less efficient in protecting cattle from the attacks of flies. 
Most of them have to be applied frequently, and few, if any, will 
keep flies away for more than a day or two following their applica- 
tion. The following mixtures may be made at an average cost of 
35 to 50 cents per gallon. The numerous proprietary fly repellents to 
be found on the market are usually more expensive, and often less 
efficient. 

At the Minnesota Experiment Station rancid lard 1 pound and 
kerosene one-half pint, mixed thoroughly until a creamy mass 
forms, was fo.und to give excellent results as a fly repellent, lasting 

1 Further information may be found in a very full report on " Insects Affecting Domestic 
Animals," issued as Bulletin 5, new series, of the Bureau of Entomology of this depart- 
ment. 

518 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 519 

for two or three daj'^s, when rubbed not too thickly over the backs of 
cows with a cloth or with the bare hand. Similar good results were 
obtained by applying a mixture of three parts of fish oil and one of 
kerosene with a small spray pump. A mixture of two parts of crude 
cottonseed oil or fish oil AA'ith one part of pine tar, applied with a 
large paint brush, was found to be very successful at the Mississippi 
Experiment Station, the effects persisting for several days. A mix- 
ture of 1 i^art of crude carbolic acid to about 10 parts of fish oil will 
repel flies for two or three days when applied by means of a cloth 
or sponge dipped into the liquid, squeezed partly dry, and passed 
lightly over the hair. It should not be rubbed in, as it is liable in 
that case to cause blistering. 

The following mixture proved the most useful fly repellent of any 
tried at the South Dakota Experiment Station: Fish oil 100 parts, 
oil of tar 50 parts, crude carbolic acid 1 part. This was applied 
bj'^ means of a small hand spray pump. One application proved 
efficient for two days. 

The Stable Fly (Stomoxys calcitrans). 

This fly very closely resembles the house fly, but, unlike the 
latter, it is a biting fly. It is common about stables and often 
enters dwellings, especially in cloudy weather. It is the agent of 
transmission of a parasitic roundworm of cattle {Filaria labiato- 
fapUJosa^ see p. 510) . This species has also been accused of transmit- 
ting anthrax from diseased to healthy animals, and there is some 
evidence to show that it may transmit surra, a disease due to a blood 
parasite which affects horses, cattle, and other live stock. 

The annoj^ance suffered by cattle and horses from stable flies is 
much lessened if the stables are darkened. This fly breeds in manure, 
especialh' fresh horse manure. By promptly disposing of manure 
dropped in stables and barnyards the number of stable flies about 
the premises can be greatly reduced. 

The Hornfly (H^^matobia serrata).* 

This fly, now found nearly everywhere in the United States, was 
introduced into this country from Europe about the year 1885. 
Hornflies have the habit of clustering about the base of the horn 
(fig. 7), Avhence the name by which the}' are popularly known. They 
do not damage the horn, and congregate there only to rest. They 
are frequently seen in a resting position on other parts of the body 
as well. AVlien resting, their wings are held down close to the body 
(fig. 6) ; when feeding, their wings are held out nearly at right 

1 For further information consult Circular 115 of the Bureau of Entomology. 



520 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



angles, ready for flight. They puncture the skin and suck blood, 
usually attacking the upper parts of the body, particularly those 
parts which are out of reach of the animal's head or tail. Unlike 
most flies, they remain on the animal more or less constantly, day 

and night. Due probably 
to the irritation and an- 
noyance caused by these 
flies, cattle often do not 
thrive as they should dur- 
ing seasons when hornflies 
are numerous. The horn- 
fly has also been charged 
with transmitting diseases, 
such as anthrax. 

The fly lays its eggs in 
freshly dropped cow ma- 
nure. They hatch in about 
24 hours, and the larvae or 
maggots in four or five 
days develop to the pupal 
stage, which lasts a week 
or 10 days. From the pu- 
pal stage the mature fly 
emerges. The entire proc- 
ess of development from the deposition of the egg to the appearance of 
the mature fly therefore requires on an average about two Aveeks. To 
protect cattle from the attacks of the hornfly they may be treated 
with one of the remedies mentioned above (p. 518). Scattering the 




C. — llornfly (IIwmatoMa serrafa) in resting 
position. (From Bureau of Entomology.) 




Fig. 7. — Hornflies {IIwmatoMa scrrata) on cow horn. (From Bureau of Entomolojry. ) 

droppings of cattle with a shovel, or with brush dragged over pas- 
tures, in order to insure the rapid drying of the manure and conse- 
quent destruction of (he larva^, is, when practicable, an efficient means 
of reducing the number of these flies. 



THE ANIMAT. PARASITES OF CATTLE. 



521 



Buffalo Gnats. 

These small flies, also known as black flies, are about one-eighth of 
an inch long and have a characteristic "humped" back (fig. 8). 
They breed in running water and appear in swarms during spring 
and summer, often in enormous numbers, causing great annoyance to 
stock and human beings, on account of their bites and their entrance 
into the eyes, nose, mouth, and other openings of the body. Their 
bites appear to be poisonous and in seasons especially favorable to 
the gnats heavy losses of horses and cattle often occur. 

Buffalo gnats are more troublesome in bright, sunny weather than 
when it is cloudy, and animals which have not shed their winter 
coats suffer more from their attacks than those with smooth coats. 
Cattle kept in darkened stables are not molested. The application 
of one of the fly repellents already 
mentioned (p. 518) will help to 
protect animals from buffalo gnats. 
The burning of smudges is also a 
useful means of protecting stock 
from the attacks of these flies. 

Screw Worms. 

Screw worms (fig. 9) are the mag- 
gots of a fly {Ckrysomyia mavel- 
lar-ia), so called from their fancied 
resemblance to a screw. The adult 
fly (fig. 10) is about one-third 
of an inch long, with a bluish-green 
body, red eyes, and with three 
dark longitudinal stripes on the 
back (thorax). Attracted by odors 
of decay it deposits its eggs, 300 
to 400 at a time, in cuts, sores, cas- 
tration wounds, etc. The bursting of a tick on the skin commonly 
results in screw-worm infection at that point. The eggs hatch in 
a few hours and the larvae or maggots, or so-called screw wonns, 
begin to burrow into the flesh and continue burrowing and feeding 
from four to six days, after which they leave the wound and crawl 
into the earth, there transforming into the quiescent pupal stage. 
After this stage has lasted for one to two weeks, the mature fly 
appears. From two to three weeks are therefore required for the 
entire life cycle. , 

Besides cattle, the screw-worm fly attacks sheep, horses, hogs, and 
man. In the case of hogs it is generally the ears which are affected. 




Fid. 8. — Buffalo gnat. (From Bureau 
of Entomologj'. ) 



522 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 




Fig. 9. — Screw worm (larva of Chry- 
somyia macellaria). (From Bureau 
of Entomology.) 



The fly also breeds in dead animalsj and all carcasses should there- 
fore be buried deeply or burned. 

Treatment for screw ivorms. — For proper treatment an animal suf- 
fering from screw worms should be caught and thrown. Pour chloro- 
form into the wound, taking care that it penetrates thoroughly into 

all the burrows of the screw worm, 
if necessary using a slender stick 
or a small bunch of twisted hay 
as a probe. The animal should be 
held for several minutes in order 
to insure the continued action of 
the chloroform. Finally the wound 
should be dressed Avith a carbolic 
or cresylic ointment to promote healing and thus prevent further 
infection, or the wound may be painted with pine tar. 

Grubs, Warbles, Bots. 

The common parasites known as grubs, warbles, bots, etc. (fig. 11), 
found under the skin of the backs of cattle, where they form more or 
less conspicuous lumps during the latter part of winter and spring, 
are the larva' of a fly known as the heel fly or warble fly. This fly 
(Hi/poderma lineata) is about one- 
half inch long, very hairy, and 
somewhat resembles a small black 
bee in appearance. The flies ap- 
pear earh' in the summer and are 
more or less prevalent until the 
beginning of cold weather. They 
deposit their eggs on the skin of 
cattle, fastening them to the hairs. 
Many eggs are deposited on the 
heels above the hoofs, hence the 
name " heel fly." 

Although the flies are unable to 
bite, cattle seem to be much afraid 
of them, and apparently are some- 
times stampeded by them. Either 
the eggs or the tiny maggots 
hatching from them are carried into the mouth bj'^ the cattle 
licking themselves. In the former event the eggs hatch in the mouth 
or in the paunch. In either case the maggots or larvae migrate into 
the esophagus, or gullet, and penetrate into its walls, where they 
undergo a portion of their development. From the esophagus the 
larva^ migrate through the tissues of the body toward the back, 
and according to one investigator enter the spinal canal, where 




Fig. 10. — Screw-worm fly (Chrysomyia 
macellaria). (From Bureau of Ento 
mology.) 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 



523 



tliey spend a certain period. Finally thej^ appear about January 
beneath the skin of the back, forming the well-known swellings. 
The posterior end of the grub is near the small opening in the hide, 
through which the grub breathes and discharges its excrement, and 
through which, when its development is complete, it finally escapes. 
The anterior end of the grub is at the bottom of the tumor, where 
the mucus collects upon which it feeds. By spring or early summer 
the grub is full grown and forces its way out of the skin, falling to 




Fig. 11. — The warble fly (Hypoderma lineata) : a, adult female; b, eggs attached to a hair, 
X 25 ; Cj larva as seen in egg ; d, larva from esophagus of an ox ; e, next stage of larva 

' from beneath the skin of the back ; /, larva at the stage when it leaves the back of 
cattle and falls to the ground — all enlarged (after Riley). 

the ground, into which it burrows for a short distance and transforms 
into the pupal stage. In about a month the mature fly emerges. 

Grubs weaken cattle, cause them to fall off in flesh and milk, and 
decrease the value of the hide. The beef in the immediate vicinity 
of a grub becomes slimy and of a greenish color, and is known to the 
butchers as " licked beef." 

The total loss to this country on account of the warble fly is esti- 
mated at $35,000,000 to $50,000,000 a year. 



524 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Treatment for loarhles. — In the late winter and spring examine 
the cattle for the presence of warbles. By passing the hand over the 
backs of the animals the swellings marking the location of the grubs 
may be readily found. Pressure properly applied to the swellings 
will cause the grubs to "pop out" if they have reached a late stage 
of development. They may be more easily removed by means of 
slender forceps inserted into the opening of the warbles, and a still 
more certain method of removing them is to cut into the swellings 
with a sharp knife or bistoury, after which they may be pressed out 
through the opening thus made. Care should be taken to crush all 
grubs removed, so as to prevent the possibility of their further de- 
velopment and transformation into flies. In order that none of the 
,gi'ubs may escape it is advisable to examine the cattle every two 
weeks during the late winter and spring, at each examination remov- 
ing the grubs which have developed sufficiently to cause perceptible 
swellings. 

Another method of treatment is to force grease or oil into the open- 
ings of the warbles, which kills the grubs. This method is less cer- 
tain than that of removing the grubs, and has the further objection 
that the dead grubs remain beneath the skin. Claims have been ad- 
vanced that the use of arsenical dips, as employed in tick eradication 
(see p. 504 ) , has reduced the number of grubs in the cattle which have 
undergone treatment, but it is uncertain whether these claims have 
a solid foundation in fact. Cattle may be treated during the sum- 
mer with fly repellents (p. 518) to keep off warble flies. The efficacy 
of repellents against these flies is probably, however, not very great. 

In localities where the character of the cattle industry is such as 
to render practicable the systematic examination of cattle and the 
removal of the grubs — that is, where the herds are comparatively 
small and subject to the close supervision of the owners — it is pos- 
sible, by the exercise of a little care and with very little effort on the 
part of the cattle owners, provided they work together, each doing 
his share by seeing to the removal of grubs from his own cattle, so 
that as few as possible survive to transform into flies, to reduce the 
number of grubs within one or two seasons almost, if not entirely, 
to the point of extinction. It still remains to be determined whether 
a practicable means of eradication, by arsenical dips or otherwise, 
can be devised for use in the case of herds which can not readily be 
treated by direct removal of the grubs. 

LICE.^ 

Three species of lice, two of them sucking lice {H(^matopimis eiiry- 
sternus^ the short-nosed cattle louse, and H. vitnli, the long-nosed 
cattle louse), commonly knoAvn as blue lice, and one biting louse 
{Tnehodectes scalaris), commonly known as red louse, affect cattle. 

1 For furllicr information see Bulletin 5, new series, Bureau of Entomology. 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 



525 




Fig. 12. — Short-nosed 
blue louse (Hcema- 
topinus curyster- 
)ius) of cattle. 
(From Bureau of 
Entomology. ) 



Fig. 13. — Long-nosed blue louse 
iHwmatopinus vitulii of 
cattle. (From Bureau of 
Entomology.) 



The blue lice (figs. 12 and 13) suck the blood of cattle and are more 
injurious than the red lice (fig. 14). Unless very abundant the latter 
cause little injury. If 
numerous they irritate 
and worry their host 
probably more by their 
sharp claws than by 
their bites, as their food 
seems to consist entirely 
of particles of hair and 
dead skin. 

Cattle lice reproduce 
by means of eggs or nits 
(fig. 15) which they 
fasten to the hair. The 
blue lice infest chiefly 
the neck and shoulders; 
red lice, when present, 
may be found almost 
anywhere on the body, but are usually most numerous on neck, 
shoulders, and at the root of the tail. 

On account of the itching due to the lice, infested cattle rub against 

posts, trees, etc., and 
lick themselves, the 
hair sometimes com- 
ing out and the skin 
becoming thickened 
so that mange may 
be suspected. 

T r eat me n t f o r 
lice. — Cattle infested 
with lice should be 
dipped in the spring 
and again in the fall, 
using a coal-tar or 
tobacco dip, or Beau- 
mont oil emulsion (see p. 505). The ar- 
senical dip (see p. 504) is also another 
remedy which may be effectively used 
against lice. When possible a second dip- 
ping should be given after the lapse of 10 to 
14 days. The dips mentioned are, as a rule, 
more efficacious against lice than lime-and- 
sulphur dip. Though lime and sulphur is an excellent mange remedy 
it is less satisfactory for lice, especially blue lice. If only a few cattle 





Fig. 1.5.— Egg of short- 
nosed blue louse (Hwma- 
iopinus euri/stcrnus) at- 
tached to a hair. (From 
Bureau of Entomology.) 



Fig. 14. — Red louse (Tricho- 
dccics scalaris) of cattle. 
(From Bureau of Ento- 
mology.) 



526 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



are to be treated the dip may be applied with a bnish or cloth, or with 
a small spray pump, or a mixture of kerosene one-half pint and lard 
1 pound may be smeared on the body. 

MANGE, ITCH, SCAB.^ 




Cattle are subject to four kinds of mange, of which common mange 
or psoroptic mange is the most important. 

Psoro'ptic mange of cattle is caused by a species of small mites 
(fig. 16) which multiply rapidly and are spread from diseased to 

healthy cattle by 
bodily contact, or 
by pens, stables, 
railroad cars, etc., 
recently occupied by 
mangy cattle. The 
mites attack the skin 
and cause it to be- 
come thickened and 
covered with crusts 
and scabs, with a 
consequent loss of 
hair. Intense itch- 
ing accompanies the 
disease and affected 
cattle are more or 
less constantly nib- 
bing and licking 
themselves. P s o - 
roptic mange com- 
mences at the root 
of the tail, or on the 
neck, or withers, 
and gradually ex- 
extends over the 
back up to the head, 
over the sides^ and 
may finally affect 
nearly the entire body except the legs. In serious cases the skin 
may become ulcerated; the animals become greatly weakened and 
emaciated, and finally die. By taking scrapings from the edges of 
scabby patches and placing them on a piece of black paper in a warm 
place the mites may be seen as tiny white objects crawling over the 
paper, more distinctly if a magnifying glass is used. Mange may be 
confused with lousiness, ringworm, or with any condition in which 




Fig. IC. — Mite wiiich causes psoroptic scab of sheep — 
enlarged about 100 times. The mite of psoroptic cattle 
mange is almost identical in appearance. 



1 For a fuller discussion see Farmers' Bulletin 152, Issued by the United States De- 
partment of Agriculture. 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 527 

there is itching or loss of hair, but if mites are found there is no ques- 
tion of the diagnosis. The disease is worse during cold, wet weather. 
Mangy cattle when on good pasture during the summer often seem to 
recover, but in the fall the disease again appears in a severe form. 

Treatment f OP psorojMc mange. — The most gene-rally used and most 
satisfactory method of treating cattle mange consists in dipping the 
animals in a vat filled with a liquid of such a nature that it will kill 
the parasites without injuring the cattle. Vats for dipping cattle are 
built of wood, stone, or concrete, and vary in length from 30 to 100 
feet or more. They vary in width from 4 to 7 feet at the top, and 2 to 
3 feet at the bottom, and the depth may be from 7 to 10 feet. A nar- 
row chute through which the cattle are driven leads up to one end of 
the vat, where a steep slide pitches the cattle into the dipping fluid, 
through which they swim, and climb out of the vat at the other end, 
which is built sloping and provided with cross cleats to give the ani- 
mals a foothold. A draining pen with floor sloping back toward the 
vat is generally provided. The dip should be used warm, 100° to 
110° F., and the cattle should be held in the vat for two minutes to 
insure thorough action of the dip. The head of each animal should 
be ducked at least once. Care should be taken that the vat contains a 
sufficient depth of fluid to swim the animals to be dipped. The dip- 
ping fluid may be heated from a steam boiler by pipes or hose, or 
water heated in large iron cauldrons or tanks may be used for charg- 
ing the vat, and hot water with a proper quantity of dip added from 
time to time as the dipping fluid becomes cool. 

If Beaumont oil emulsion be used, one treatment will be sufficient. 
With other dips two treatments are required, the second treatment 
being given 10 days after the first. The second treatment is necessary 
to kill the few parasites which sometimes escajje at the first treatment, 
either in the o.g'g stage or as fecundated females. 

The following dips are approved by the Department of Agriculture 
for dipping mangy cattle which are to enter interstate commerce : 

LIME-AND-SULPHUR DIP. 

The lime-and-sulphur dip is made in the proportion of 12 pounds of unslalied 
lime, 24 pounds of the flowers of sulphur, and 100 gallons of water. 

Directions for jyreparing 100 gallons of dip. — Weigh out the lime, 12 pounds, 
and sulphur, 24 pounds. Place the unslake<l lime in a shallow, water-tight box 
similar to a mortar box, or some suitable vessel, and add enough water to slake the 
lime and form a lime paste or lime putty. Sift into this lime paste the flowers 
of sulphur and stir well ; then place the lime-and-sulphur paste in a kettle, boiler, 
or tank containing 30 gallons of water, the water being first heated nearly to the 
boiling point. Boil the mixture for two hours at least, stirring frequently ; add 
water occasionally to maintain the original quantity. Allow the mixture to 
settle in the tank or draw the entire contents of the kettle or boiling tank into a 
large tub or barrel placed near the dipping vat and provided with a bunghole 



528 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

about 4 inches from the bottom, and then allow ample time to settle — from two 
to three hours or more if necessary. When fully settled, draw off the clear 
liquid into the dipping vat, taking care not to allow any of the sediment to 
accompany it, as the sediment is liable to render the dip unnecessarily caustic. 
The clear liquid thus obtained only requires the addition of sufficient clear warm 
water to bring the total up to 100 gallons. Flowers of sulphur must be used, 
and the lime must be of good quality. 

TOBACCO-AND-SULPHUR DIP. 

The tobacco-and-sulphur dip is made with sufficient extract of tobacco, or nico- 
tin solution, to give a mixture containing not less than five oue-hundredths of 
] ))er cent nicotin and 2 per cent flowers of sulphur. Sufficient nicotin would 
therefore be furnished for 96 gallons (about 800 pounds) of dip by 1 pound of a 
40 per cent solution of nicotin. The formula for this dip would be: Nicotin, 
four-tenths of a pound; flowers of sulphur, IG pounds; water, 96 gallons. 

To calculate how much nicotin solution or extract of tobacco should be used 
for 96 gallons of water, divide the quantity of nicotin required in the dip by the 
]n-oportiou of nicotin in the extract. For example, suppose the nicotin solution 
contains 25 \)ei- cent nicotin, we have 0.40-^0.2.5=1.6. Therefore in this case it 
would require 1.6 ix>unds of nicotin solution for the 96 gallons of dip. Or, if a 
tobacco extract is used, having for example 2.4 per cent of nicotin, the formula 
would be as follows: 0.40-H).024= 16.66, and therefore 16.66 pounds would be 
required for 96 gallons of dip. Do not use any preparation the strength of 
which is not given on the outside of the package. 

In preparing these dips the tobacco solution and sulphur should be mixed 
together with water before adding them to the water in the dipping vat. The 
dip should on no account be heated above 110° F. after the nicotin solution is 
added, as heat is liable to evaporate the nicotin and weaken the dip. 

BEAUMONT OIL EMULSION. 

Directions for making 100 gallons. — Dissolve with the aid of lieat 5 pounds of 
hard soap (ordinary laundry soaps are satisfactory) in 5 gallons of soft water; 
to this solution add 20 gallons of Beaumont crude petroleum or a similar oil 
which may or may not contain sulphur, mixing with a spray pump, or otherwise, 
in a thorough manner. To this concentratetl emulsion add sufficient soft water 
to bring the total up to 100 gallons, keeping the whole mass thoroughly agitated. 
When proijerly prepared the concentrated emulsion will stand indefinitely with- 
out any tendency toward a separation of the oil and water, and can be diluted in 
any proportion with cold soft water. 

Chorioptic mange., due to a different species of mite from that caus- 
ing common cattle mange, is confined almost entirely to the region at 
the root of the tail and may persist for years if not treated. Tlie 
treatment is the same as for psoroptic mange. 

Dernodectic mange., which is due to a small parasite that lives in the 
hair follicles, causing pustules, especially on the neck and shoulders, 
occurs occasionally among cattle in this country and is of importance 
on account of the injury to the hide. When tanned, hides infested by 
this parasite are pitted, the pits, in some cases, being so deep that they 
form holes. No practicable treatment is known for this disease. 



THE ANIMAL PABASITES OF CATTLE. 529 

TICKS.^ 

About 10 species of ticks have been reported as parasites of cattle 
in the United States. The most common and the most important is 
the species known as Margaropus annrdatus^ which transmits Texas 
fever. Information concerning this tick and Texas fever has been 
given elsewhere in this volume (p. 480). 

The ear tick {Ornithodoros megnini) is frequently found in the 
ears of cattle in the western United States. 

Treatment for ear ticks. — On account of their protected location 
ear ticks are not alfected by dipping or spraying. Ear ticks are very 
difficult to kill, and remedies strong enough for this purpose are 
liable to injure the cattle, but the parasites may be expelled by pour- 
ing into the ear noninjurious substances such as cotton-seed oil, lin- 
seed oil, 20 per cent emulsion of crude petroleum, or almost any stock 
dip diluted as for use in dipping. Some stock owners report favor- 
able results from the use of arsenical dip (see p. 504). 

BLOODSUCKERS OR LEECHES. 

These worms are sometimes taken up by cattle when drinking from 
ponds. They may attach themselves to the inner surface of the 
mouth or nose, and sometimes reach the upper part of the windpipe 
or of the gullet. Bleeding at the mouth or nose may be noticed, the 
membranes where the leech is attached are liable to be swollen and 
congested, and as a result of the loss of blood a condition of anemia 
may result. 

Treatment for hloodsuckers. — If the worm can be reached it may 
be destroyed by cutting it in two with a pair of scissors, or it may 
be removed with forceps or with the fingers after wrapping a towel 
around the hand so that the worm can be held without slipping. 
Fumigation with tobacco or tar may cause the worm to release its 
hold if it can not be removed by other means. Ponds may be rid of 
infestation with bloodsuckers by the introduction of eels. 

PARASITES or THE STOMACH. 

The stomach of cattle consists of four compartments, of which the 
first and fourth are most likely to be the seat of parasitic infestation. 
The first stomach, or paunch, contains large numbers of minute para- 
sites known as protozoa, which are too small to be seen with the 

^ For a more complete discussion consult Farmers' Bulletins 258 and 378, Bulletin 130 
of the Bureau of Animal Industry, and Bulletins 15, technical series, and 72 of the Bureau 
of Entomology, all issued by the United States Department of Agriculture. 

16923°— 12 34 




Fig. it. — Portion of the wall 



530 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

naked eye. These small organisms apparently are in no way injuri- 
ous. A species of fluke {Param/phistortyum cervi or a closely related 
species) is occasionally found in North American cattle, especially 
grass-fed cattle, attached to the inner surface of the first stomach 
(fig. 17). This worm is about one-half inch long, and somewhat 
conical in shape, hence the name, conical fluke, by which it is some- 
times known. Although this parasite has been accused of producing 

serious effects, it is generally considered 

harmless. 

Several species of roundworms may occur 

in the fourth stomach. Two of these are of 

special im jwit ance. 

The Twisted Stomach Worm (HiEMONCHUs 
CONTOBTUS ) y 

The twisted stomach worm {Hcemonchus 
contortus^ figs. 18, 19, 20) is sometimes 
of the first stomach with fouud in enormous numbers in the fourth 
conical flukes attached. gtomach of cattle. Sheep, goats, and other 

ruminants may also be infested with it. Among the symptoms 
caused by this parasite may be mentioned anemia, loss of flesh, 
general weakness, dullness, capricious appetite, excessive thirst, and 
diarrhea. The anemic condition is seen in the paleness of the skin 
and mucous membranes of the mouth and eye, and in the watery 
swellings which often develop under the lower (" poverty jaw "). 
If the fourth stomach of a dead animal be cut open and the 
contents carefully examined, the parasites, 
which are from ^ inch to 1^ inches in length 
and about as thick as an ordinary pin, may 
be seen, if present in any considerable 

, J- 1 • T i ^ 1-1 Tj^i^i Fig. 18. — Twisted stom- 

niiml)er, actively wriggling about like little ach worm (Hwmon- 

SnakeS *'''"* eontortus). 

Cattle become infected with these parasites by grazing on pastures 
on which infested cattle, sheep, or goats have grazed and scattered 
their droppings. The worms in the stomach produce a multitude of 
eggs (fig, 19c) of microscopic size, which pass out of the body in the 
feces. In warm weather these eggs hatch in a few hours. If the 
temperature is below 40° F. they remain dormant, and if below 
freezing they soon die. The eggs are also killed by di'vness, moisture 
on the other hand favoring their development. The embryos which 
hatch from the eggs are microscopic in size and like the eggs are 

I A more extended discussion of this parasite appears in Circulars 93 and 102 of the 
Bureau of Animal Industry. 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 



531 



susceptible to freezing and drying. In very warm weather the em- 
bryos complete their development, so far as they are able to develop 
outside the body, in two or three days. In cooler weather the time 
required for this development is longer, and at temperatures below 
70° F. 10 days to several weeks may .be necessary. The embryos are 
then ready to be taken into 
the body. The eggs and 
early stages of the embryos 
apparently do not develop if 
swallowed, hence only this 
latter stage seems to be in- 
fectious. In this stage they 
migrate up grass stalks 
(fig. 20) or other objects, 
showing activity whenever 
the air is saturated with 
moisture; that is, during 
rains, fogs, and dews. When 
the air becomes dry and the 
moisture evaporates from 
the grass the young worms 
cease their activity, resuming 
their migrations when the 
air again becomes overladen 
with moisture. Embryos 
which have developed to the 
infectious stage, unlike the 
eggs and earlier embryonic 
stages, are able to survive 
long periods of freezing and 
dryness. In two weeks to a 
month after the embryos are 
swallowed they reach ma- 
turity and begin producing 
egg-s. 

Treatment for Twisted 
STOMACH WORMS — Preventive 
measures. — Preventive meas- 
ures are important. As 
moisture favors the develop- 
ment of the embryos, high sloping ground is preferable for pas- 
tures. If low ground is used it should be properly drained. Do 
not overstock pastures. Burning over the pasture will destroy most 
of the young worms on the grass and on the ground, and, if possible, 
this means of disinfection should be used at least once a year. 



iZ 



Fig. 19. — Twisted stomach worms (Hwmonchus 
contortus). 



532 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Change the herd to fresh pasture as often as possible. Cattle should 
be supplied with water from wells, springs, or flowing streams, pref- 
erably in tanks or troughs raised above the ground. To a slight de- 
gree salt serves to protect cattle against infection with internal para- 
sites, and plenty of it should therefore be kept accessible. 

Medicinal treatment. — Among the remedies used to remove stomach 
worms may be mentioned coal-tar creosote, bluestone, and gasoline. 
It is advisable to treat not only the animals which are seriously 
affected, but the rest of the herd as well, since the parasites with 
which they are infested will remain as a source of reinfection to the 

others. The cattle should be removed to 
fi'esh pasture after treatment, if possible. 

The animal to be treated should be de- 
prived of feed for 12 to 16, or even 24 hours, 
before they are dosed, and if bluestone is 
used should receive no water on the day 
they are dosed, either before or after dosing. 
In drenching, a long-necked bottle or a 
drenching tube may be used. In case a 
bottle is used the dose to be given may be 
first measured off, poured into the bottle, 
and the point marked on the outside of the 
bottle with a file, so that subsequent doses 
may be measured in the bottle itself. A 
simple form of drenching tube (fig. 21) con- 
sists of a piece of rubber tubing about 3 feet 
long and one-half inch in diameter, with an 
ordinary tin fimnel inserted in one end and 
a piece of brass or iron tubing 4 to 6 inches 
long and of suitable diameter inserted in the 
other end. In use the metal tube is placed 
in ^'^ animal's mouth between the back 
teeth, and the dose is poured into the fun- 
nel, which is either held by an assistant or 
fastened to a post. The flow of liquid through the tube is con- 
trolled by pinching the rubber tubing near the point of union with 
the metal tube. It is important not to raise the animal's head too 
high on account of the danger of the dose entering the lungs. The 
nose should not be raised higher than the level of the eyes. The 
animal may be dosed either standing on all fours or lying on the 
side. It has been found by experiment that if the dose is taken 
quietly most of it will pass directly to the fourth stomach when the 
animal is dosed in a standing position, and that when the animal is 
dosed lying down little or none of the dose passes immediately to the 
fourth stomach. From this it is evident that the position on all 




0.1 mm. 

Fig. 20.— Embryo of twisted 
stomach worm. {Ilwmon- 
chus contorius) coiled on 
lip of grass blade. 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 



533 



fours is preferable, as more of the dose passes to the phice where its 
action is required. 

Great care should be used not only in dosing to avoid the entrance 
of the liquid into the lungs, but also in the preparation and adminis- 
tration of the remedy so that the solution may not be too strong or 
the dose too large. 

Coal-tar creosote. — Good results have been obtained from a single dose of a 1 
per cent solution of a coal-tar creosote. This solution is made by shaking to- 
gether 1 ounce of coal-tar creosote and 99 ounces (6 pints 3 ounces) of ^A'ater. 
The doses of this 1 per cent mixture are as follows : 

Calves 3 to 8 months old 5 to 10 ounces. 

Yearling steers 1 pint. 

Two-year-olds and above 1 quart. 

Serious objections to the use of coal-tar creosote have been found in that 
the substance known by this name varies considerably in composition and in 

that some trouble is often exi>erienced in obtain- 
ing it in many parts of the country. Complaints 
have been made that the substance dispensed by 
,, — _ _ some druggists as coal-tar creosote has failed to 

^\V** i. ™ lir ^^^^ satisfactory results. 

Bluestone. — Bluestone, or copper sulphate, has 
been extensively used in South Africa in the 
treatment of sheep and cattle for stomach worms 
and is recommended by the colonial veterinary 
surgeon of the Cape Colony as the best and 
safest remedy. To prepare the solution take 1 
pound (avoirdupois) of pure bluestone, powder it 
fine and dissolve in 95 gallons of warm water. It 
is better to first dissolve the bluestone in 2 or 3 
quarts of boiling water, then add the remaining 



Fig. 21 — A drenching tube made from an ordinary tin funnel, a piece of rubber 
hose, and a piece of brass pipe. 

quantity of cold water, and mix thoroughly. This solution may be given to 
cattle in the following-sized doses : 

Calves oi to 4 ounces. 

Yearlings 6 ounces. 

Two-year-olds and above 12 to 16 ounces. 

In making up the solution only clear blue crystals of bluestone should be used. 
Bluestone with white patches or crusts should be rejected. It is esi>ecially im- 
portant that the bluestone and water be accurately weighed and measured, and 
that the size of the dose be graduated according to the age of the animal. 

Gasoline. — Gasoline is one of the most popular remedies for stomach worms 
which have been used in this country, and has the particular advantage of 
being readily obtained. It is important to repeat the dose if the gasoline treat- 
ment is employed, and it is usual to administer the treatment on three succes- 
sive days, as follows: 



634 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The evening before the first treatment is to be given the animals are shut 
up without feed or water and are dosed about 10 o'clock the next morning. 
Three hours later they are allowed feed and water, and at night they are 
again shut up without feed or water. The next morning the second dose ia 
given, and the third morning the third dose, the treatment before and after 
dosing being the same in each case. The sizes of the doses are as follows : 

Calves I ounce. 

Yearling steers 1 ounce. 

The dose for each animal is measured and mixed separately in linseed oil, 
milk, or flaxseed tea and administered by means of a bottle or drenching tube. 
Gasoline should not be given in winter. 

Other remedies. — Many other remedies in addition to those mentioned here 
have been used in the treatment of stomach-worm disease with more or less 
success. Several of the coal-tar dips on the market are recommended by the 
manufacturers for the treatment of worms, and the action of some of them is 
much the same as that of coal-tar creosote. 

It is not the policy of the department to recommend the use of any particular 
proi)rietary remedy, and as the action of some such agents is very uncertain it 

is suggested that, if it is desired to use 
„ .... ^-'■.^v■.*^^■^•->■■••v*^-•^;«e■•"■w•■'>^^ them, they be used with caution and only 
^'■^•■'■^^'^(^^ ill accordance with the printed directions 

^CT^ S© >^ 0^ the package. Whatever remedy is used 

l-r.y;;; ^..^-^^^^ it is wise to test it on two or three animals 






before the entire herd is dosed. 



0^ :/k^i The Encysted Stomach Worm (Oster- 
^^^-^ 0^i tagia ostertagi). 

-- <-:.tTr^-^ ^^^ This parasite is as thick as a fine 

^iB^^^:\'-!^^^?:^^^^^^!^0. ^^^^ ^^^d l^ss than half an inch in 

length. It lives in small cysts in the 

Fig. 22. — Piece of lining of fourtii n <« ii <» -i . i /n r^->\ 

stomach, showing cysts of the en- Wall ot the tourth stomach (fig. 22) 

cysted stomach worm {Oatertama a.nd is also found free in the cavity 

of the stomach. When numerous, 
these parasites cause a thickening of the stomach wall and dis- 
turb its digestive functions. These symptoms caused by this 
parasite are very similar to those produced by the twisted stomach 
worm. The life history of the encysted stomach worm is not known 
in detail, but it is undoubtedly very much the same as that of the 
tAvisted stomach worm. The same measures as recommended above 
for preventing infection with the twisted stomach worm should be 
employed. Medicinal treatment is of little use, owing to the pro- 
tected position in which the parasite occurs. 

INTESTINAL PARASITES. 
Tapeworms.^ 
Two species of tapeworms (fig. 23) are known to occur in the 
small intestine of American cattle. They sometimes grow to a length 

1 Bulletin 4 of the Bureau of .Vnimal Industry contains a technical discussion of the 
tapeworms of cattle, sheep, and allied animals. Bulletin 19 of the same bureau deals with 
these and other internal parasites with particular reference to meat inspection. 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 



535 



of several yards and to a breadth of three-fourths of an inch. Small 

portions of tapeworms, consisting of one or more segments, are 

occasionally seen in the droppings of infested cattle. The life history 

is not known, but the infectious stage is undoubtedly taken in with 

the food or water, infection being spread by the eggs of the parasite 

contained in the feces of infested animals. The eggs perhaps are 

swallowed by some small creature (an insect, worm, or snail) which 

acts as an intermediate 

host, and which when 

swallowed accidentally b\' 

a cow while grazing or 

drinking carries with it 

into the cow's stomach the 

infectious stage of the 

tapeworm. 

Adult cattle do not seem 
to suffer much from in- 
festation with tapeworms, 
but in calves these para- 
sites may cause scouring 
and emaciation. 

Treatment for tape- 
worms. — Medical treat- 
ment for tapeworms in 
cattle is usually unsatis- 
factory, but the bluestone 
treatment used for stom- 
ach worms and mentioned 
above (p. 533) may be 
tried. Arsenic in doses of 
1^ to 3 grains has been 
claimed to give good re- 
sults in the treatment of 
calves for tapeworms. 



Roundworms. 




Pig. 23. — A tapeworm ^Uoniezia pianissimo) which 
infests cattle. 



A large roundworm 
{Ascaris vitulorum.) meas- 
uring 6 to 12 inches in length sometimes found in the intestines of 
cattle, especially calves, may cause inflammation and occasionally 
rupture of the intestine. Infection occurs through the swallowing 
of the eggs of the parasite in food or water which has been con- 
taminated with the feces of infested cattle. 

A number of species of small roundworms, varying in size from an 
eighth of an inch to an inch or more in length, occur in the intestines. 



536 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Of these may be mentioned the hook worm {Bunostomum pMehoto- 
mum) and the nodular worm {(Esophagostomum radiatrim). The 
former is about an inch long and is found in the small intestine. The 
latter are somewhat smaller and are found in the cecum and large 
intestine. Hook worms, when numerous, may cause anemia and 
other symptoms similar to those caused by stomach worms (see p. 
530. ) The injury to the mucous lining of the intestine from the bites 
of hook worms may cause severe inflammation, and affords an avenue 
of infection with the germs of various diseases. The adult nodular 
worms apparently do not attack the wall of the intestine, but derive 
their nourishment from the intestinal contents. Several species of 
small, very slender roundworms {Trichostrongylus) ^ less than a 
quarter of an inch in length, sometimes occur in the small intestine 
and fourth stomach, and a severe gastro-enteritis, or inflammation of 
the stomach and intestines, has been attributed to them. 

Nodular disease of the intestine, due to young nodular worms 
which burrow in the intestinal wall during a certain stage in their 
life historyj though sometimes ajiparently producing serious effects, 
particularly in young cattle, usually has little or no perceptible influ- 
ence on the general health. Nodular disease, however, often renders 
the intestine unfit for use as sausage casings, and as it is widely prev- 
alent among cattle, the loss from this source is considerable. The 
greenish or yellowish nodules with cheesy contents are frequently 
mistaken by the inexperienced for lesions oi tuberculosis. 

The life histories of the various small roundworms occurring in 
the intestines of cattle have not been worked out, but in general they 
are very likely similar to that of the twisted stomach worm as de- 
scribed on page 530. 

Treatment for intestinal roundworms. — The preventive measures 
are similar to those recommended in the case ot the twisted stomach 
worm (p. 533). Medicinal treatment is generally not very satisfac- 
tory. Powdered thymol, in doses of 200 grains or more, has been 
recommended, but it often fails to have the desired result. It is 
claimed by one author that 2 or 3 drams of rectified empyreumatic 
oil in a mucilaginous emulsion, followed the next morning with a 
purgative of 1 to 1^ pounds of sulphate of soda, will expel the large 
roundworms {Ascaris vitulonim). 

Protozoa. 

A number of species of protozoa have been reported as parasitae of 
the intestines of cattle. To one species has been attributed a serious 
disease of cattle in Switzerland known as red dysentery^ but as yet 
no cases of this disease in American cattle have been reported. 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 



537 




Fig. 24. — The com- 
mon liver fluke 
{Fasciola hcpat- 
ica). 



FLUKES IN LIVER AND LUNGS. 

Two species of flukes occurring in the liver and lungs are known 
to affect cattle in the United States. These parasites are flat leaflike 
worms; one of them, the common liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica^ 
fig. 24), is less than an inch in length, while the other, the large 
American fluke {Fasciola Tnagna, fig. 25), is considerably larger 
when full grown. In their life history these flukes depend on snails 
as intermediate hosts. At a certain stage of development the young 
flukes leave the snails, become encysted on stalks of grass (fig. 26), 
and finally may be swallowed by grazing cattle. Stiles states that 
" flukes may produce a serious, often fatal, disease, 
more especially in younger animals. The symp- 
toms are somewhat similar to those produced by 
worms in the stomach. The first symptoms are 
generally overlooked, the disease not attracting at- 
tention until the appetite is diminished ; rumination 
becomes irregular^ the animals become hidebound, 
and the coat dull and staring. The staring coat is due to the con- 
traction of the muscles of the hair follicles. The visible mucous mem- 
branes become pale, eyes become dull, there is running at the eyes, 
and the animal gradually becomes emaciated. As the disease ad- 
vances the milk supply is lessened, fever appears, there is generally 
great thirst, but the appetite almost ceases; edematous swellings 
appear on the belly, breast, etc. ; diarrhea at first alternates with 
constipation, but finally becomes continuous. The disease lasts from 
two to five months, when the most extreme cases succumb. 

" Most of the German 
cattle are said to be in- 
fested with liver flukes, 
but even when a large 
number are present the 
nourishment of the cattle 
is not disturbed. Thicken- 
ing of the gall ducts, so 
that a so-called ' Medusa's 
head ' forms on the surface of the liver toward the stomach, appears 
in even well-nourished animals; even in cases of a cirrhosis of the 
liver it is seldom that any effect upon the cattle's health can be 
noticed, and so long as a portion of the liver tissue about twice the 
size of the fist remains intact, the nourishment of the animal may be 
comparatively good. It is rare that one sees a generalized edema in 
slaughtered cattle as a result of fluke invasion, and even in the 
heaviest infections of young cattle only emaciation is noticed. 




Fig. 25. — The large American fluke (Fasciola magna). 



538 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



'■'Treatment. — Medicinal treatment is unsatisfactory. The disease 
may be prevented to a considerable extent by giving animals plenty 
of salt, and by introducing carp, frogs, and toads into infected dis- 
tricts; these animals destroy the young stages of the parasite and 
feed upon the snails which serve as intermediate hosts." 



TAPEWORM CYSTS OF LIVER AND OTHER VISCERA. 

Three kinds of tapeworm cysts are found in the viscera of cattle. 
One of these {Multiceps fnultieeps, or Cwrnurus cerebralis) will be 
further referred to in the discussion of gid (p. 539). All of these are 
the intermediate stages of tapeworms which live when mature in the 
intestines of dogs, wolves, and other canines. The eggs of the tape- 
worms are scattered over the fields in the droppings of infested dogs 

or wolves, and these 
when swallowed in 
food or water by 
cattle hatch out and 
the embryos migrate 
to the liver, mesen- 
tery, lungs, brain, or 
other organ, where 
they develop into 
cysts^ variously 
known as hydatids, 
bladder worms, water 
balls, etc. When 
organs of cattle thus 
infested are eaten by 
dogs or wolves the 
cystic worms are also 
likely to be swallowed and then develop into mature tapeworms. To 
prevent cattle from infection with these parasites stray dogs, wolves, 
and coyotes should be killed wherever found, and dogs too valuable to 
kill should be kept free from tapeworms. As a precaution against 
infection with tapeworms, the viscera of cattle, sheep, or hogs should 
not be fed to dogs unless cooked. 

Hydatids {Echinococcus granulosiis) form tumors (fig. 27) of vary- 
ing size (sometimes as large as 6 inches in diameter) in the liver, 
lungs, and other organs. Their contents are liquid, resembling water. 
The presence of these parasites can not be detected in the living ani- 
mal and there is no medicinal treatment for them. Organs contain- 
ing hydatids should be destroyed by burning in order to prevent 
their being eaten by dogs. This is especially important, as dogs 
infested with the tapeworm stage of this parasite are a menace to 




Fig. lit}. — Portion of grass stalk bearing three encysted 
cercariae of the common liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica). 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 539 

human beings on account of the danger of infecting them with hyda- 
tids, which develop in man if the eggs of the hydatid tapeworm are 
swallowed. 

Thin- necked bladder worms {Taenia hydatigena^ fig. 28) are most 
commonly found attached to the mesentery and omentum. There is 
no medicinal treatment. 




Fig. 27. — Hydatids (Echinococcus granulosus) in portion of liog's liver. 

TAPEWORM CYSTS IN THE MUSCLES, BEEF MEASLES. 

Small tapeworm cysts {Tcenia saginafa), about the size of a pea, 
found in the muscles of cattle (fig. 29) are the larvae of the common 
tapeworm of man. Cattle become infected from feed or water which 
has been contaminated by the feces of persons 
harboring the adult tapeworms, and hiiman beings 
in turn become infected by eating raw or rare 
beef infested with the larval stage (measly beef). 

To prevent cattle from becoming infested with 
this parasite care should be taken that human 
feces are not placed where they will contaminate 
the feed or drinking water. 

Fig. 28. — Thin -necked 
(^^^' bladder worm (Tcpnto 

hydaligena) from ab- 

Bladder worms {MuUiceps multiceps, or Ocenu- dominai cavity of a 
rus cerehralis) which are ocasionally found in the 
brain of cattle^ and cause gid, " tumsick,'" or " staggers," deserve 
mention, as they are rather common among sheep in the Northwest. 
As already alluded to, these worms are the intermediate stage of a 
tapeworm found in dogs, and their life history and the means of pre- 
venting infection have been briefly discussed above (see p. 538). 




540 



DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Cattle harboring this parasite show symptoms indicating an af- 
fection of the brain, walking or turning in circles, dizziness, uneven 
gait, impaired vision, etc. 

Treatment consists in trephining the skull and removing the para- 
site, an operation which requires a skillful operator and is frequently 
unsuccessful. Unless the parasite is removed affected cattle almost 
invariably die. 

THREAD WORMS IN THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY. 

Thread worms {Filaria lahiato-papillosa) 2 to 4 inches long are fre- 
quently found in the abdominal cavity. They seem to cause little or 
no trouble. The embryos produced by these worms enter the blood 
vessels. Stable flies (see p. 519) while sucking blood take up these 
embryos, which undergo a certain amount of development in the body 

of the flies. These flies, again 
biting cattle, introduce the par- 
tially developed worms with 
which they are infested into the 
circulation, whence the worms 
migrate to the abdominal canity 
and there develop to maturity. 
The roundworms found oc- 
casionally in the anterior cham- 
ber of the eye (see p. 541) are 
perhaps immature forms of this 
species which have reached this 
location during their migration. 

LITNG WORMS, 




Lung worms {DiHyocmdus 



Fig. 29. — Section of a pork tongue heavily 
infested with pork measles. Beef tongues 
infested with beef measles present a vivipCbniS^ fig. 30) in cattle are 
Similar appearance. tlireadlike WOrms 2 to 4 inchcS 

long, found in the bronchial tubes, and producing a condition known 
as verminous bronchitis. (See PI. LII, which represents a portion 
of lung with the bronchial tubes filled with lung worms, drawn about 
twice natural size.) The life histoiy of the parasite is not known, 
but infection is apparently derived through the medium of pastures 
where infested cattle have grazed. In the later stages of the dis- 
ease the cattle cough, especially at night. Young cattle are more 
seriously affected than old animals. 

Treatment for lung worms. — Various treatments have been advo- 
cated for lung worms, including fumigating with different substances 
and injections of remedies into the trachea by means of a large hypo- 
dermic syringe, but none has been very successful from a practical 



Diseases of Cattle 



Plate lii 



f 




\ 



Haines dsl after Mar 



ULIUS BIEN CO. I 



Verminous Bronchitis. 



THE ANIMAL PARASITES OF CATTLE. 541 

standpoint. About all that can be done is to feed affected animals 
■well and protect them from exposure. 

PAR^VSITES OF THE BLOOD. 

A species of fluke {Schistosoma hovis) which lives in the blood ves- 
sels (the large veins) of cattle in tropical and subtropical countries 
causes bloody urine, and a condition of the rectum somewhat resem- 
bling piles. 

The embryos of Filaria labiato-papillosa (p. 540) which occur in 
the blood may be found by microscopical examination. They appar- 
ently cause no trouble. 

The organism which causes Texas fever is a protozoan parasite 
{Piroplasma higenvlnum) of microscopic size, which lives in the blood 
and attacks the red blood corpuscles. For a discussion of this parasite 
and the disease which it produces 
see page 480 of this volume, or for 
more complete information con- 
sult Farmers' Bulletins 258 and 
378, which can be obtained free 
on application to the Secretary of 
Agriculture, Washington, D. C. fig" so.— Lung worm (DMuocauius vivi- 

Other parasites which live in p°'"««) »* ^'^t"*^- 

the blood cause serious diseases 

known as surra and nagana (p. 515), but as yet neither of these 
diseases has gained a foothold in the United States. 

PARASITES or THE EYE. 

Small roundworms, one-third to four-fiftlis of an inch in length, 
may oc<jur in the ducts of the lacrimal glands. Several species all 
belonging to the -same genus {Thelazia) are known. These worms 
are inaccurately referred to by various writers as Filaria lacrimalis. 
They sometimes escape from their usual location and may be found 
on the surface of the eyeball beneath the lids, or even in the eyeball. 
It has been supposed by some writers that the worms seen in the in- 
terior of the eyeball (" snakes in the eye ") are immature stages of 
Filaria lahiato-fa'pillosa (see p. 540) which have gone astray from 
the normal course of their migration, but the correctness of this sup- 
position is uncertain. 

Worms in the eyes and lacrimal ducts may cause inflammation, in 
which case the eyes may be syringed with an antiseptic, such as a 
weak solution of coal-tar stock dip, and iodoform ointment applied 
if the condition is severe. 

When worms are present in the eyeball itself, their removal depends 
upon surgical treatment, usually not advisable, as the worms in that 
location either cause but little trouble or disappear without treat- 
ment. 



MYCOTIC STOMATITIS OF CATTLE. 

By John R. Mohlee, V. M. D. 
Chief of Pathological Division, Bureau of Animal Industry. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Numerous letters have been received by this bureau in recent years 
relative to the existence of a disease affecting the mouths and feet of 
cattle in certain Eastern and Central Western States. Later reports 
indicate that the malady has made its appearance in the Southwest, 
where it has caused much alarm among the stockmen owing to its 
similarity to the foot-and-mouth disease of Europe. The disease, 
which is to be discussed under the name of mycotic stomatitis, has 
been carefully investigated by this department on various occasions, 
and it is with the view of giving the results of these clinical investi- 
gations as well as to assert its noninfectiousness and to differentiate 
it from the virulent foot-and-mouth disease, which it so closely 
simulates, that this article is prepared. 

NAME AND SYNONYMS. 

The jiame stomatitis signifies that there is present in the affected 
animals an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth. 
This inflammation, which quickly develops into ulcers, is one of the 
principal and most frequently observed lesions. Mycotic stomatitis 
refers to that fomi of stomatitis which results from eating food con- 
taining irritant fungi. Thus the name not only suggests the cause of 
the disease, but also indicates the location of the earliest and most 
prominent symptoms. Other names which have been applied to this 
disease by different writers are sporadic aphthss; aphthous stoma- 
titis ; sore mouth of cattle ; sore tongue ; benign, simple, or noninfec- 
tious foot-and-mouth disease; mycotic aphthous stomatitis; and 
sporadic stomatitis aphthosa. 

CHARACTER OF THE DISEASE. 

Mycotic stomatitis is a sporadic, or noninfectious, disease which 
affects cattle of all ages that are on pasture, but more especially 
milch cows. It is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the 
542 



MYCOTIC STOMATITIS OF CATTLE. 543 

mucous membrane of the mouth, producing salivation and inappe- 
tence, and secondarily affecting the feet, which become sore and 
swollen. Superficial erosions of the skin, particularly of the muzzle 
and of the teats and udders of cows, may also be present, with some 
elevation of temperature and emaciation. 

CAUSE. 

This disease, as its name indicates, results from the eating of forage 
containing fungi or molds. It is probable that more tlian one fungus 
is involved in the production of this disease, but no particular species 
has been definitely proved to be the causative factor. Several at- 
tempts have been made by the writer to determine the exact cause 
and also to transmit the disease to other animals by direct inocula- 
tion, but with negative results. Suspicion, however, has been directed 
by various observers to the Uromyces and the red and black i-usts 
that occur on clovers. These fungi cause very severe irritation of the 
lining membrane of the mouth, producing sometimes a catarrhal, at 
other times an aphthous, and occasionally an ulcerous stomatitis. 
The fungus of rape, etc. {Polydesinus excitiosus) ^ is very irritating to 
the mouths and feet of cattle, causing severe inflammation and in 
some instances producing symptoms that have been mistaken for 
foot-and-mouth disease. The fungi (Penicillium and Puccinia) 
found on grasses have also been credited with the production of 
stomatitis. The fact that this disease disappears from a locality at 
a certain time and reappears at irregular intervals would suggest the 
probability that certain climatic conditions were essential for the 
propagation of the causative fungi, since it is well known that the 
malady becomes prevalent after a hot, diy period has been followed 
by rain, thus furnishing the requirements necessary for the luxuriant 
development of molds and fungi. Owing to this fact the disease is 
observed in one locality during one season and in an entirely dif- 
ferent section another year^ but reappears in the former center when 
favorable conditions prevail. In this way the affection has occurred 
at irregular intervals in certain sections of both the United States 
and Canada. 

SYMPTOMS AND LESIONS. 

Among the first symptoms observed in mycotic stomatitis are ina- 
bility to eat, suspension of rumination, frequent movements of the 
lips with the formation of froth on their margins, and in some cases 
a dribbling of saliva from the mouth. There is a desire to eat, and 
frequent attempts to take food are made, but prehension is very 
difficult. If, however, food is placed on the back of the tongue it is 
readily masticated and swallowed. If the mouth is examined at this 



544 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

time it will be found red and hot, and exceptionally small blisters 
will be seen, which, however, quickly become eroded and develop 
into active ulcers varying in size from one-eighth to 1 inch in 
diameter. Where several ulcers have coalesced a large and irregu- 
larly indented patch is formed. These erosions are most frequently 
found on the gums around the incisor teeth, on the dental pad, inside 
the lips^ and on the tip of the tongue, but they also occur on the 
cheeks, interdental space, and dorsum of the tongue. The ulcere have 
a hemorrhagic border, a depressed suppurating surface, and contain 
a brownish or yellowish colored debris, which is soon replaced by 
granulation tissue. As a result of this sloughing of the tissues and 
the retention of food in the mouth, a veiy offensive odor is exhaled. 
The muzzle becomes dry and parched in appearance, which condition 
is shortly followed by erosions and exfoliations of the superficial 
layer of the skin. Adherent brownish crusts and scabs form over 
the parts, and similar lesions are seen around the nostrils and ex- 
ternal surface of the lips. 

In some cases there are associated with these alterations a slight 
swelling and painfulness in the region of the pasterns, at times affect- 
ing the fore feet, at other times the hind feet, and occasionally all 
four feet. In a few cases the swelling may extend above the fetlock, 
but it has never been observed above the knee or hock. The skin 
around the coronet may occasionally become fissured and the thin 
skin in the cleft of the foot eroded and suppurated, but without the 
formation of vesicles. As a result of these feet lesions, the affected 
animal may assume a position with its back arched and the limbs 
propped under the body as in a case of founder, and will manifest 
much pain and lameness in walking. If it lies down, the animal 
shows reluctance in getting up, and although manifesting no incli- 
nation to move about, when forced to do so there is more or less 
stiffness and a tendency to kick or shake the foot as if to dislodge 
a foreign body from between the claws. 

In some outbreaks the milch cows have slight superficial erosions 
on the teats which at times extend to the udder. The cracks in the 
skin are filled with serum and form brownish colored scabs. The 
teats become tender and the milk secretion diminishes ; in some cases 
it disappears. A similar tendency toward the formation of fissures 
and scabs on the skin of the neck and shoulder has manifested itself 
in a recent outbreak m Texas, and this feature was likewise notice- 
able in the disease when it occurred in Maryland and Virginia in 
1889. 

In mild cases only the mouth lesions may be observed, or these 
alterations may be associated with one or more of the other above- 
described symptoms, but in severe cases, where there is a generalized 
mycotic intoxication, one animal may show all these alterations. 



MYCOTIC STOMATITIS OF CATTLE. 545 

When the disease is well developed the general appearance of the 
animal is one of great lassitude, and it either stands off by itself 
with hind feet drawn under the body and its fore feet extended, or it 
assumes a recumbent position. Owing to the inability to eat and to 
the general systemic disturbance present, the aninuil loses flesh very 
rapidly and becomes greatly emaciated in the latter stages of the dis- 
ease. The temperature and pulse are somewhat increased, the former 
2 or 3 degrees, the latter to from 75 to 90 beats per minute. The 
fever is not lasting, and these symptoms are soon modified. The 
animal has an anxious look, and in a few cases there is gastro-intes- 
tinal irritation, the feces being thin, of a dark color, and of an 
offensive odor. 

PROGNOSIS AND MORTALITY. 

Mycotic stomatitis is not a serious disease, and in uncomplicated 
cases recoveries soon follow the removal of the cause and the appli- 
cation of the indicated remedies. In such cases complete resto^ation 
may take place within one week. In mild outbreaks a large percent- 
age of the animals will recover without treatment, but that the dis- 
ease is fatal is shown by the fact that animals which develop an 
aggravated form of the affection succumb if not treated. In such 
animals death occurs in 6 or 8 days, but the mortality in the serious 
outbreaks thus far investigated has been less than 0.5 per cent. The 
course of this disease is irregular and runs from 7 to 15 days, the 
average case covering a period of about 10 days. 

DIFI-^RENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. 
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. 

In examining a case of mycotic stomatitis it is important not to 
mistake it for foot-and-mouth disease, which has appeared in this 
country on five occasions only, always near a seaport, and which 
does not exist in the United States at the present time. This ma}^ be 
easily accomplished by taking into consideration the fact that in the 
contagious foot-and-mouth disease there is a rapid infection of the 
entire herd, as well as of any hogs and sheep that may be on the 
premises. It is also readily -transmitted to neighboring herds by the 
spread of the infection from diseased animals, but it never occurs 
spontaneously. The characteristic lesion of foot-and-mouth disease 
is the appearance of vesicles containing serous fluid in the mouth and 
upon the udder, teats, heels, and coronary bands of the affected ani- 
mals. Drooling is profuse, and there is a peculiar smacking sound 
made by sucking the affected lips. 

Mycotic stomatitis occurs sporadically on widely separated farms, 
affecting only a few animals in each herd, and the lesions produced 
16923°— 12 35 



546 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

consist of erosions without the typical vesicular formations of foot- 
and-mouth disease. The failure of the vesicles, if any appear, to 
spread extensively in the mouth, the absence of these blisters on 
other portions of the body — notably the teats and udder, and charac- 
teristically the feet — together with the absence of infection in the 
herd, and the inability to transmit the disease to calves by inocula- 
tion distinguish between this affection and foot-and-mouth disease. 
Scab formation on the muzzle and nostrils is not present in foot-and- 
mouth disease. The erosions of the mouth are not so extensive and 
they heal more rapidly in mycotic stomatitis. The swelling of the 
feet and stiffness of the animal are also more marked in mycotic 
stomatitis. 

ERGOTISM. 

The lesions resulting from ergotism may be differentiated from 
those of mycotic stomatitis by the lack of ulcerative eruptions in the 
moutji and by the location of the lesions at the tips of the ears, end of 
the tail, or upon the lower part of the legs, usually below the knees or 
hocks. The lesions of ergotism do not take the form of ulcers or 
festers, but the end of the limb affected is diseased " in toto " and the 
eruption extends entirely around the limbs, followed soon afterwards 
by a distinct line of demarcation between the healthy skin above and 
the diseased below. The absence of suppurating sores between the 
claws and on the mucous membrane of the mouth, the knowledge that 
the lesion upon the limb in question extends uninterruptedly around 
it, and the presence of ergotized seeds in the hay or grain fed the 
animals should point conclusively to a diagnosis of ergotism. 

FOUL FOOT. 

In foul foot, or ground itch, of cattle, the inflammation of the skin 
and toes usually affects but one foot. It begins as a superficial 
inflammation followed by sloughing, ulceration, and the formation of 
fistulous tracts which may involve the tendons, bones, and joints. 
The mouth remains unaffected, and the presence of the disease may 
be traced to filth and poor drainage. 

NECROTIC STOMATITIS. 

In necrotic stomatitis (calf diphtheria) there is a formation of yel- 
lowish cheesy patches in the mouth without any lesions of the feet or 
udder. It affects sucking calves chiefly, and is caused by the Bacillus 
necropho7^s. 

TREATMENT. 

The treatment of mycotic stomatitis should consist in first remov- 
ing the herd of cattle from the pasture in which they have been 
running. The affected animals should, if it is possible, be brought to 



MYCOTIC STOMATITIS OF CATTLE. 547 

the barn or corral and fed on soft, nutritious food, such as bran 
mashes, ground feed, and gruels. A bucket of clear, cool water 
should be kept constantly in the manger, so that the animal may 
drink or rinse the mouth at its pleasure, and it will be found bene- 
ficial to dissolve 2 heaping tablespoonfuls of borax or 1 tablespoonful 
of potassium chlorate in each of the first two buckets of water taken 
during the day. If the animals are gentle enough to be handled, the 
mouth should be swabbed out daily with antiseptic washes, such as a 
2 per cent solution of carbolic acid or of creolin, or a 1 per cent solu- 
tion of lysol or of permanganate of potash, or 1 part of hydrogen 
peroxid to 2 parts of water. This should be followed by astringents, 
such as one-half tablespoonful of alum, borax, or chlorate of potash 
placed on the tongue. Probably a more satisfactory method of ad- 
ministering the antiseptic treatment to a large number of animals 
would be to mix thoroughly 2 teaspoonfuls of pure carbolic acid 
every morning in a quart of bran mash and give to each affected 
animal for a period of five days. Range cattle may be more readily 
treated by the use of medicated salt placed in troughs accessible to 
the animals. This salt may be prepared by pouring 4 ounces of 
crude carbolic acid upon 12 quarts of ordinary barrel salt, after 
which they are thoroughly mixed. The lesions of the feet should be 
treated with a 2 per cent solution of carbolic acid or of creolin, 
while the fissures and other lesions of the skin will be benefited by the 
application of carbolized vaseline or zinc ointment. If the animals 
are treated in this manner and carefully fed the disease will rapidly 
disappear. 



INDEX. 



Abdomen — Page. 

and womb, inflammation, causes, symptoms, and treatment 226 

dropsy affecting, causes, symptoms, and treatment 49 

of calf, dropsy, description and treatment 182 

wounds, causes, symptoms, and treatment 45 

Abdominal cavity, kinds of parasites affecting 540 

Abortion — 

contagious, description and causes 169 

contagious, prevention and treatment 173 

noncontagious, causes 165 

noncontagious, treatment 172 

Abscess — 

bacteria causing 242 

of ear, treatment 367 

of lung, description 98 

of navel, cause and treatment 254 

orbital and periorbital, symptoms and treatment 364 

Abscesses, treatment 304 

Absorbents, description 73 

Acariasis itch, reference 344 

Achorion sehonleinii, fungus causing Tinea favosa 344 

Acids — 

mineral, poisoning, description and treatment 61 

poisoning, description and treatment 60 

vegetable, poisonous, description and treatment 61 

Aconite poisoning, description and treatment 65 

Actinomycosis — 

description and symptoms 447-457 

in relation to public health 454 

of jawbones, description and treatment 450 

of lungs 450 

prevention and treatment 452-457 

Adenoma, description 322 

Administration of medicines, chapter by Leonard Pearson 9-13 

Afterbirth, retained, causes, symptoms, and treatment 222 

Air — 

or gas under the skin, description, symptoms, and treatment 346 

tubes of lungs, parasites affecting, description and treatment 540 

Albumin in urine, description and treatment 121 

Albuminuria, description and treatment 121 

Alkalies, poisoning, description and treatment 62 

Amaurosis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 360 

Anaphrodisia, cause, prevention, and treatment 149 

Anasarca of the skin, causes, symptoms, and treatment 342 

Anesthesia, uses in operations 295 

549 



550 INDEX. 

Page, 

Aneurism, description 83 

Angioma tumor, description 322 

Animal — 

parasites of cattle, chapter by B. H. Ransom 518-541 

products, poisonous, description and treatment 69 

Anthrax — 

cause, symptoms, treatment, etc 457-464 

in man , description 464 

symptomatic, description, cause, treatment, etc 465^70 

Aphtha — 

in yoimg calves, description and treatment 269 

parasite (Saccharomyces albicans) , cause 268 

Aphthous — 

fever. {See Foot-and-mouth disease.) 

stomatitis, reference 542 

Apoplexy — 

cerebral, description and treatment 106 

parturient, description, symptoms, and treatment 228 

Appetite, depraved, description, causes, and treatment 30 

Aqueous humor of eye, description 353 

Arsenic poisoning, description, symptoms, and treatment 57 

Arsenical dip for destroying cattle ticks 504 

Arteries — 

and veins, wounds, description and treatment 81 

obstruction, description and treatment 83 

Ascaris vitulorum, intestinal roundworm, description and treatment 535 

Ascites — 

causes, symptoms, and treatment 49 

description and treatment 182 

Asepsis in surgical operations 295 

Aseptic periostitis, description and treatment 271 

Asphyxia electrica, symptoms and treatment Ill 

Atkinson, V. T.— 

chapter on " Bones: Diseases and accidents " 269-294 

chapter on " Poisons and poisoning " 54-70 

Atrophy, description SO, 128 

Auscultation, definition 90 

Bacillus — 

cyanogenes, causing blue milk 246 

tuberculosis, causing tuberculosis 414 

Back, sprain, causes and treatment 276 

Bacteria — 

causing abscess 242 

definition 372 

Bacterium bovis septicum, causing hemorrhagic septicemia 405 

Ball- 
hair, in stomach, description 31 

of eye, description 352 

Balls as method of administering medicines 10 

Bee and wasp stings, description and treatment 70 

Beef and pork measles, note 539-540 

Benign tumors, description 318 

Big jaw. (5ee Actinomycosis.) 



INDEX. 551 

Pat'e. 

Bites of snakes 16, 345 

Blackleg — 

description, cause, and treatment 465-469 

vaccine, note on distribution by bureau 469 

Black quarter. {Sec Blackleg.) 

Bladder — 

eversion, description, and treatment 220 

or rectum, full, as obstruction to parturition 180 

palsy of neck, cause and treatment 130 

paralysis, causes and treatment 128 

rupture, symptoms 221 

spasms, description and treatment 128 

etoue, symptoms and treatment 142 

Bladderworms — 

affecting brain, description and treatment 539 

thin-necked, description and treatment 539 

Bleeding — 

description 300 

description and treatment 81 

from lungs, description and treatment 98 

from navel, cause and treatment 253 

from nose, cause and treatment 92 

from womb, description, symptoms, and treatment 216 

Blisters, water, symptoms and treatment 340 

Bloating, causes, symptoms, and treatment 24 

Blood- 
clots on walls of vagina, description and treatment 222 

coagulated, under vaginal walls after calving, treatment 180 

description and influence of food on 73 

flukes {Schistosovia bovis), note 541 

parasites affecting, different kinds 541 

protozoa affecting 518-541 

vessels, functions 72 

vessels, heart, and lymphatics, diseases, chapter by W. H. Harbaugh 71-85 

Bloodletting, description 300 

Bloodsuckers affecting cattle, description and treatment 529 

Bloody — 

milk, cause and treatment 246 

urine caused by blood flukes 541 

urine, description, symptoms, and treatment 119 

Blue disease, cause 258 

Blue lice (Hsematopinus eurystemus and H. vitali), description 524 

Blue milk, cause and treatment : 246 

Boils, causes, symptoms, and treatment 340 

Bones — 

broken, description of kinds and treatment 276-288 

diseases and accidents, chapter by V. T. Atkinson 269-294 

dislocations, description and treatment 288 

face, fracture, description and treatment 283 

luxations, description and treatment 288 

manner of nourishment 269 

number and description 269 

shape, classes 270 



552 INDEX. 

Page. 

Bony tumor, description and treatment 326 

Boophilus annulalus, Texas fever tick. {See Margaropus annulatus.) 

Bots affecting cattle, description and treatment 522 

Bovine tuberculosis and public health 436 

Bowel hernia, description and treatment 40 

Bowels — • 

diseases affecting, causes, symptoms, and treatment 36-45 

obstruction resulting from invagination, symptoms and treatment 37 

twisting and knotting, symptoms, post-mortem appearance, and treatment. 37 
Brain — 

and its membranes, inflammation, causes, symptoms, and treatment 103 

bladderworms affecting, treatment 539 

Coenurus cerebralis ( Multiceps multiceps) affecting, treatment 539 

concussion, cause, symptoms, and treatment 107 

congestion, description and treatment 106 

description 102 

tumors, description 112 

Breach — 

at navel, symptoms and treatment 257 

of uterus, cause and treatment 162 

Breathing, suspended in young calves, discussion 252 

Bronchial tubes, parasites affecting 540 

Bronchitis — 

description, symptoms, and treatment 93 

verminous, description, symptoms, treatment, and prevention 99 

verminous, parasite (Strongylus micrurus), cause 99 

Buffalo gnats, description and remedy 521 

Bull, ringing, description 297 

Bums and scalds, causes and treatment 345 

Calculi- 
classification 137 

forms in different situations 138 

in prepuce, or sheath, treatment 144 

renal, description and treatment 139 

urethral, description and treatment 139 

urinary, classification 137 

urinary, description and causes 130 

urinary, effect of different feeds 131 

Calculus — 

blocking teats, treatment 248 

prevention 141 

vesical, or urethral, symptoms and treatment 142 

Calf- 
attention necessary at birth 252 

diphtheria, description, symptoms, and treatment 470-474 

dropsy of abdomen, description and treatment 182 

dropsy, general, cause and treatment 182 

monstrosities, descriptions, causes, and treatment 184-186 

muscles, rigid contraction, cause and treatment 183 

slinking, description 165 

swelling, caused by gas, treatment 182 

tumors affecting, description and treatment 183 



INDEX. 653 

^ , Page. 

Calves — 

congenital imperfections, kinds 268 

indigestion affecting, causes, symptoms, and treatment 34 

newlwru, acute scouring, description, prevention, -and treatment 2(56 

pyemic and septicemic inflammation, symptoms and treatment 256 

yoimg, aphtha, or thrush, affecting, description and treatment 268 

young, constipation affecting, cause and treatment 258 

young, diseases affecting, chapter hy James Law 252-2C8 

young, rickets affecting, description and treatment 208 

young, ulcers in mouth, causes, symptoms, and treatment 470 

Calving — 

dropping and palsy following, description and treatment 237 

retarded by nervousness 180 

symptoms 174 

Cancer, description and treatment 327 

Capsule of eye, description 354 

Capsules as method of administering medicines 10 

Carbolic-acid poisoning, description and treatment 03 

Carbuncle, description 404 

Carcinoma, description and treatment 327 

Caries of the teeth, description 18 

Carpus, fracture, description and treatment 287 

Cartilage of ear, necrosis affecting 369 

Caruncula lacrimalis of eye, description - 356 

f'asein concretions blocking teats, cause and treatment 247 

Casting the withers, cause and treatment 217 

Castration — 

of the female, description of operation 312 

of the male, description of operation 310 

Cataract, causes, symptoms, and treatment 360 

Catarrh — 

description, symptoms, and treatment 91, 92 

gastro-intestinal, causes, symptoms, and treatment 31, 34 

malignant, description, symptoms, and treatment 474-477 

nasal, description, symptoms, and treatment 91 

Catarrhal fever, infectious, description, symptoms, and treatment 474-477 

Cattle- 
animal parasites affecting, chapter by B. H. Ransom 51 8-541 

farcy, description and treatment 516 

infected with anthrax, description 459 

infectious diseases, chapter by D. E. Salmon and Theobald Smith 371-517 

northern, immunization against Texas fever, manner 506 

parasitic diseases, prevention 518 

plague. {See Rinderpest.) 

rabies affecting, description, symptoms, etc 410-^ 14 

tick, Margaropus annulatus, as carrier of Texas fever 486 

ticks, injurious effects of and losses caused by 487-492 

ticks, methods of ridding cattle from 492-506 

tumors affecting, chapter by John R. Mohler 315-331 

Cerebral apoplexy, description and treatment 106 

Cerebro-spinal division, description 101 

Chapped teats, cause and treatment 247 

Charbon. (See Anthrax.) 



654 INDEX. 

Page. 

Chest, dropsy affecting, description and treatment 98 

Choking, symptoms and treatment 22, 302 

Chorioptic mange, location and treatment 528 

Choroid coat of the eye, description 354 

Chrondroma tumor, description and treatment 326 

Chronic tympanites, cause and treatment , 26 

Coal-oil poisoning, description and treatment 62 

Coenurus cerebralis (Multiceps multiceps) affecting brain, treatment 540 

Coital exanthema, description, symptoms, and treatment 408 

Cold in the head, description, symptoms, and treatment 91 

Colic, causes, symptoms, and treatment 33 

Concussion of the brain, cause, symptoms, and treatment 107 

Congenital imperfections in calves, kinds 268 

Congestion — 

and inflammation of testicles, description and treatment 152 

of brain, description and treatment 106 

of liver, description, symptoms, and treatment 46 

of spinal cord, description, symptoms, and treatment 110 

of udder, description and treatment 238 

Conjunctivitis — 

causes, symptoms, and treatment 356 

infectious catarrhal, symptoms, treatment, and prevention 357 

Constipation — 

cause and treatment 38 

of young calves, cause and treatment 258 

Contagious — 

abortion, causes 165-169 

abortion, prevention and treatment 173 

diseases, disinfection of premises 375 

inflammation of the udder, description, prevention, and treatment 241 

mammitis, description, prevention, and treatment 241 

pleuropneumonia, cause, incubation, and symptoms 382 

pleuropneumonia, definition and history 379 

pleuropneumonia, post-mortem appearance 385 

pleuropneumonia, prevention and treatment 388 

scouring, acute, in newborn calves, description, prevention, and treatment. 266 

Contused or lacerated wounds, description and treatment 308 

Contusions of lips, wounds, and snake bites of mouth, symptoms and treatment. 16 

Copper poisoning, description and treatment 59 

Cornea — 

of eye, description 353 

ulcers, cause, symptoms, and treatment 359 

Corneal dermatoma, description and treatment 361 

Comeitis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 357 

Cough, examination 88 

Cowi^ox, description, symptoms, and treatment 244, 445 

Cow, pregnant, hygiene 160 

Cramps of hind limbs during pregnancy, cause 162 

Cranium, fracture, description and treatment 284 

Creeps, description, symptoms, and treatment 273 

Croupous enteritis, description, symptoms, and treatment 37 

Crude petroleum, dip for destroying cattle ticks 505 

Cud, loss, description 29 



INDEX. 555 

Page. 

Cuts, barbed-wire, description and treatment 310 

Cyanosis, cause 81, 258 

Cysts— 

and tumors, description 319 

dental, description and treatment 330 

dermoid and sebaceous, description and treatment 342 

dermoid, description and treatment 330 

extravasation, description 329 

mucous, description and treatment 331 

parasitic, description 329 

proliferation, description and treatment 331 

serous, description and treatment 330 

Dandruff, causes, symptoms, and treatment 341 

Deformities of the hoof, causes and treatment 350 

Dehorning, description 298 

Demodectic mange, description and treatment 528 

Deutal cysts, description and treatment 330 

Dermis, description 322 

Dermoid — 

and sebaceous cysts, description and treatment 342 

cysts, description and treatment 330 

Diabetes — 

insipidus, cause and treatment 118 

mellitus, description 123 

Diarrhea — 

and dysentery, causes, symptoms, and treatment {see also Gastro-intestinal 

catarrh) , 36 

causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment 259-266 

in calves, causes, symptoms, and treatment 34 

Dickson, William, and William H. Lowe, chapter on "Surgical operations".. 295-314 

Dietetic poisons, description 66 

Digestive organs, diseases affecting, chapter by A. J. Murray 14-53 

Dilatation and hypertrophy of heart, description 80 

Diphtheria of calf, description, cause, treatment, etc 470-474 

Dips — 

for mange and scab 527, 528 

for freeing cattle of ticks 502-506 

Disinfection of infected premises, methods 375 

Dislocation of eyeball, treatment 366 

Dislocations of bones, description and treatment 288 

Distention of rumen with food, description and treatment 27 

Diuresis, causes and treatment 118 

Drenching tube for use in eradicating worms 533 

Dropping, or palsy, following calving, description and treatment 237 

Dropsy — 

general, of calf, cause and treatment 182 

of abdomen, causes, symptoms, and treatment 49 

of abdomen of calf, description and treatment 182 

of chest, description and treatment 98 

of hind limbs and between thighs, during pregnancy, cause 162 

of membranes of fetus, description and treatment 162 

of navel, description and treatment 258 

of womb, description and treatment 162 



556 INDEX. 

Dysentery — Page, 
and diarrhea, causes, symptoms, and treatment {see also Gastro-intestinal 

catarrh) 36 

chronic bacterial, description, treatment, etc 513 

red, note 536 

Dyspepsia, causes, sym])tom8, and treatment 31 

Ears — 

abscess affecting, treatment 367 

cartilage, necrosis affecting 369 

diseases affecting, chapter by M. R. Trumbower 367-370 

enchondroma, description and treatment 370 

foreign bodies lodging in, symptoms and treatment 368 

frostbite, symptoms and treatment 369 

fungoid growths, cause and treatment 368 

internal inflammation, symptoms and treatment 367 

lacerations, cause and treatment 369 

scurfy, cause and treatment 368 

ticks affecting, treatment 529 

Echinococcus granulosus, hydatid, description 538 

Ectropion of the eyelid, description and treatment 362 

Eczema — 

description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 337 

epizootic, reference 395 

Edema — 

causes, symptoms, and treatment 342 

malignant, description, symptoms, and treatment 478-480 

Elephantiasis, description 342 

Emphysema, description and treatment 97, 346 

Enchondroma of the ear, description and treatment 370 

Encysted stomach worm, description and treatment 534 

Endocarditis, description and treatment 79 

Enemata, uses and methods 11 

Enlargement and inflammation of the haw, description and treatment 366 

Ent aritis — 

causes, symptoms, post-mortem appearance, and treatment 37 

croupous, description, symptoms, and treatment 37 

simple. (See Gastro-enteiitis.) 

Entropion of the eyelid, description and treatment 362 

Epidermis, description 332 

Epilepsy, description, cause, and treatment 107 

Epistaxis, cause and treatment 92 

Epizootic aphtha, reference 395 

Ergotism — 

and mycotic stomatitis, differentiation 546 

description and treatment 68 

Eruption, vesicular, of genital organs, description, symptoms, and treatment. . 408 

Erythema, description, causes, and treatment 335 

Esophagotomy, description and treatment 303 

Eveision — 

of bladder, description and treatment 220 

of eyelid, description and treatment 362 

of womb, cause and treatment 217 

Extravasation cysts, description 329 

Extra-uterine gestation, description and treatment 163 



INDEX. 557 

Eye— Page. 

and its appendages, diseases affecting, chapter by M. 11. Tnimbower 352-366 

aqueous humor, description 353 

capsule, description 354 

caruncula lacrimalis affecting 356 

choroid coat, description 354 

cornea, description 353 

cornea, ulcers affecting, cause, symptoms, and treatment 359 

description 352 

foreign bodies penetrating, treatment 363 

lens, description 354 

muscles, description 355 

parasites affecting, treatment 361, 541 

puncta lacrimalia, description 356 

retina, description 354 

roundworms affecting, treatment 541 

sclerotic membrane, description 353 

vitreous humor, description 354 

Eyeball- 
description 352 

dislocation, cause and treatment 366 

hairy tumor affecting, description and treatment 361 

Eyelashes, inversion, treatment 362 

Eyelids — 

description 355 

ectropion affecting, description and treatment 362 

entropion, description and treatment 362 

eversion, description and treatment 362 

inversion, description and treatment , 362 

laceration, cause and treatment 363 

tumors affecting, description and treatment 363 

Face bones, fracture, description and treatment 283 

Farcy in cattle, description and treatment 516 

Fasciola — 

hepatica, description '. 537 

magna, description 537 

Fatty degeneration of the heart, description 80 

Feed, character, analyses, effect on milk 261-262 

Feeding and foods, character, effect on digestive organs 14 

"Feed-lot " method of freeing cattle and pastures from ticks 499-502 

Fetlock— 

fi-acture below, treatment 288 

sprain, causes and treatment 274 

Fetus — 

developing outside womb, description and treatment 163 

membranes, dropsy affecting, description and treatment 162 

prolonged retention,' description and treatment 164 

Fever — 

milk, description, symptoms, and treatment 228-237 

parturition, description, symptoms, and treatment 228 

southern, splenetic, or Texas. (See Texas fever.) 

Fibroma — ■ 

interdigital, description and treatment 350 

tumor, description and treatment 323 

Fibrous periostitis, description and treatment 271 



558 INDEX. 

Filaria — Page. 

cervina, worm found in the eye 361 

labiato- papulosa, parasitic roundworm of cattle 541 

oculi, description and treatment 361 

Fissm-e of the wall of hoof, description and treatment 350 

Fistula, milk, description and treatment 249 

Flies- 
injurious to cattle 518-521 

larval, note 520 

Flooding from the womb, description and treatment 216 

Fly, Spanish, poison, description and treatment 70 

Fluke disease of cattle 537 

Flukes of liver and lungs, description 537 

Foods and feeding, character, effect on digestive organs 14 

Foot- 
diseases affecting, chapter by M. R. Trumbower 347-351 

foul, causes, symptoms, and treatment 348 

soreness, description and treatment 347 

Foot-and-mouth disease — 

benign, simple, or noninfectious 542 

description, cause, symptoms, etc 395-403 

similarity to mycotic stomatitis 545 

Foot rot, causes, symptoms, and treatment 348 

Forage, insects on, description of poisonous effect 70 

Foul in foot, causes, symptoms, and treatment 348 

Founder, description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 347 

Fractures — 

below hock and fetlock, description and treatment 288 

compound, comminuted, and complicated 277 

description of different kinds and treatment 276-288 

general symptoms and treatment 277, 278 

of face bones, description and treatment 283 

of hip point, causes and treatment 286 

of horns, description and treatment 282 

of limbs, description and appliances for treatment 287-288 

of lower jaw, cause and treatment 284 

of metacarpus and metatarsus, description and treatment 287 

of pelvis, description and treatment 179, 285 

of ribs, cause and treatment 287 

of spinal column, description and treatment 284 

of vertebra, description and treatment 284 

special, descriptions and treatment 282 

Frostbites — 

of ears, symptoms and treatment 369 

treatment 346 

Fungi, poisonous, description of poisoning 69 

Fungoid growth of the ear, cause and treatment 368 

Fungus hematodes — 

cause and treatment 365 

description 328 

Furunculus, causes, symptoms, and treatment 340 

Ganglionic division of the nervous system 103 

Gangrenous septicemia, symptoms and treatment 478 

Garget, description and treatment 238 



Gas- 



INDEX. 559 



Page. 



in calf, cause of swelling, treatment 182 

or air under the skin, symptoms and treatment 346 

Gastro-enteritis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 35 

Gastro-intestinal catarrh, causes, symptoms, and treatment 31, 34 

Generative organs — 

diseases, chapter by Jamea Law 147-215 

discussion 147 

Genital organs, vesicular eruption affecting, description, symptoms, and treat- 
ment 408 

Gestation, extra-uterine, description and treatment 163 

Gid parasite of sheep and cattle 539 

Glands of the skin, location and use 333 

Globe of the eye, description 352 

Gnats, buffalo, description and remedy 521 

Goiter, cause, description, symptoms, and treatment 322 

Gonorrhea, description and treatment 156 

Gravel — 

description and cause 130 

effect of different feeds 132 

in prepuce, or sheath, treatment 144 

Grubs — 

in cattle, description 522 

in the skin, reference 344 

Gullet— 

and pharynx, diseases affecting, description, symptoms, and treatment. . . 19-24 

wounds and injuries, cause and treatment 24 

Gut tie, description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 43 

Haematohia serrata, horn fly of cattle, description and treatment 519 

Usematopiniis eurysternus and H. vituli, description and treatment 524 

Hxmonchus contortus, description and treatment 530 

nematodes, fungus, description 328 

Hemoptysis, description and treatment 98 

Hair — 

balls or concretions, cause 31 

description 332 

Harbaugh, W. H.— 

chapter on "Diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and lymphatics " 71-85 

chapter on ' ' Diseases of the nervous system " 101-112 

Haw, inflammation and enlargement, description and treatment 366 

Health, public, relation of actinomycosis 454 

Heart — 

blood vessels, and lymphatics, chapter by W. H. Harbaugh 71-85 

description 71 

dilatation and hypertrophy, description 80 

fatty degeneration, description 80 

how to examine 75 

injury by foreign bodies, description, symptoms, and treatment 76 

misplacement, description 81 

palpitation, description 76 

rupture, description 80 

valves, diseases affecting, symptoms and treatment 80 

Heat prostration, symptoms and treatment 108 

Heaves, description and treatment 97 



660 INDEX. 

Page. 

Heel, ulcerations, causes and treatment 349 

Hemaglobinuria or hematuria, description, symptoms, and treatment 119 

Hemoptysis, description and treatment 98 

Hemorrhage, treatment 81 

Hemorrhagic septicemia, causes, symptoms, etc 405-408 

Hepatitis, symptoms and treatment 47 

Hernia — 

of bowels, description and treatment 40 

of rennet, description and treatment 40 

of rumen, description and cause 39 

of fourth stomach, description and treatment 40 

of uterus, cause and treatment 162 

peritoneal, description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 43 

umbilical, description, causes, and treatment 42, 257 

ventral, description and causes 39 

Hip- 
point, fracture, causes and treatment 286 

sprain, cause and treatment 276 

Hock- 
fracture, treatment 287 

fracture below, description and treatment 287 

Hollow horn, imaginary disease ■ 28 

Hoof- 
deformities, causes and treatment 350 

loss, causes and treatment 348 

split, description and treatment 350 

wall, fissure affecting, description and treatment 350 

wounds and pricks, treatment 350 

Hornfly {Hxmutohia serrata), affecting cattle 520 

Horns, fracture, description and treatment 282 

Hoven, causes, symptoms, and treatment 24 

Hydatids — 

and flukes affecting the lungs of animals 538 

description and treatment 539 

Hydrocephalus, description and treatment 181 

Hydrophobia. (Sec Rabies.) 

Hydrothorax, description and treatment 98 

Hygiene of pregnant cow 160 

Hygromata, description and treatment 329 

Hyperplasia, reference 315 

Hypertrophy — 

and atrophy, description 128 

and dilatation of the heart, description 80 

Hypodervia lineata, warble fly, description 523 

Immunization of northern cattle against Texas fever, manner 506 

Impetigo, description, causes, and treatment 339 

Incised wounds, description and treatment 305 

Incontinence of urine, cause and treatment 130 

Incubation period of infectious diseases 374 

Indigestion^ — 

caused by distension of rumen with food, description and treatment 27 

causes, symptoms, and treatment 31 

from drinking cold water, symptoms and treatment 33 



INDEX. 561 

Page. 
Indigestion — Continued . 

in calves, causes, symptoms, and treatment 34 

in young calves, causes, symptoms, and treatment 258 

Induration — 

of mouth of womb, description and treatment 177 

of tongue. {See Actinomycosis.) 
Infectious — 

aphtha. (See Foot-and-mouth disease.) 

catarrhal conjunctivitis, symptoms, treatment, and prevention 357 

catarrhal fever, description, symptoms, and treatment 474-477 

diseases, classification of symptoms and lesions 372 

diseases, general discussion 371 

diseases of cattle, chapter by D. E. Salmon and Theobald Smith 371-517 

diseases, period of incubation 374 

diseases, treatment, discussion 374 

ophthalmia, or infectious catarrhal conjunctivitis 357 

Inhalation of medicines, manner 12 

Inflammation — 

and congestion of testicles, description and treatment 152 

and enlargement of the haw, description and treatment 366 

contagious, of the udder, description, prevention, and treatment 241 

of brain and its membranes, causes, symptoms, and treatment 103 

of internal ear, symptoms and treatment 367 

of kidneys, description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 123 

of liver, symptoms and treatment 47 

of mucous membrane of mouth, symptoms and treatment 19 

of navel veins, description, symptoms, and treatment 254 

of parotid gland, symptoms and treatment 20 

of sheath and penis from bruising, prevention and treatment 155^ 

of sheath, causes and treatment 153 

of spleen, description 47 

of udder, description, symptoms, and treatment 238 

of urachus, causes and treatment 253 

of urethra, description and treatment 156 

of vagina, causes and treatment 225 

of veins, description and treatment 84 

of womb, causes, symptoms, and treatment 226 

pyemic and septicemic, of joints of calves, symptoms and treatment 256 

traumatic, of the stomach, cause, symptoms, and treatment 36 

Inflammatory diseases of the skin, description, symptoms, and treatment 332-346 

Insects on forage, description of poisonous '. 70 

Intercostal muscles, rheumatism affecting, description and treatment 100 

Interdigital fibroma, description and treatment 350 

Intestinal parasites, description and treatment 534 

Intestines, roundworms affecting, kind and treatment 535 

Intussusception, causes, symptoms, post-mortem appearance, and treatment. . 37 

Invagination, cause of obstruction of bowels, symptoms, and treatment 37 

Inversion — 

of eyelashes, treatment 362 

of eyelid, description and treatment 362 

Iris, description 353 

Itch, scab, mites, and mange, description and treatment 526 

Itching, cause and treatment 334 

Jaundice, description, symptoms, and treatment 46 

16923°— 12 36 



562 INDEX. 

Jaw — Page, 
big, lump, or lumpy. (See Actinomycosis.) 

lower, fracture, cause and treatment 284 

poverty, caused by twisted wireworms 530 

Jawbones, actinomycosis affecting, description and treatment 447^57 

Joint-ill, description, symptoms, and treatment 256 

Kelis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 343 

Keratitis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 357 

Kidney — 

of ox, description 117 

parasites affecting, discussion 127 

stone in, description and treatment 139 

Kidneys — 

inflammation, description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 123 

tumors affecting, description 128 

Knee — 

fracture below, description and treatment 287 

fracture, description and treatment 287 

tumors, description and treatment 329 

Knotting and twisting of bowels, causes, symptoms, and treatment 37 

Labor pains before relaxation of passages 177 

Lacerated wounds, description and treatment 308 

Laceration of the eyelid, cause and treatment 363 

Lacerations — 

and ruptures of the vagina, description and treatment 222 

of the ear, cause and treatment 369 

Lacrimal gland of the eye, description 355 

Laminitis, description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 347 

Laryngitis, cause and treatment 92 

Laurel poisoning, description and treatment 67 

Law, James — 

chapter on "Diseases following parturition " 216-251 

chapter on "Diseases of the generative organs " 147-215 

chapter on "Diseases of the urinary organs " 113-146 

chapter on "Diseases of young calves" 252-268 

LeaS poisoning, description, symptoms, and treatment 58 

Leeches in cattle, description and treatment 529 

Lens of the eye, description 354 

Leucorrhea, symptoms and treatment 226 

Lice — 

blue (Haematopinus eurysternus and H. vituli), description and treatment. . 524 

red, description and treatment 525 

Lightning stroke, symptoms and treatment Ill 

Limbs, fracture of bones, description 287 

Lipoma tumor, description and treatment 326 

Lips, contusions, wounds, and snake bites, symptoms and treatment 16 

Liver — 

and spleen, diseases affecting, causes, symptoms, and treatment 46-47 

congestion, description, symptoms, and treatment 46 

flukes, description and treatment 537 

inflammation affecting, symptoms and treatment 47 

Lockjaw, reference 313 

Loco weed poisoning, description and treatment 66 

Louse, red ( Trichodectes scalaris), description and treatment 525 



INDEX. 563 

Lowe, William H. — Page. 

and William Dickson, chapter on "Surgical operations" 295-314 

chapter on "Noncontagious diseases of organs of respiration " 86-100 

Lump, or lumpy jaw. (See Actinomycosis.) 
Lung — 

abscess, description 98 

tissue, parasites affecting 537 

worms of cattle, description and treatment 540 

Lungs — 

actinomycosis affecting 450 

bronchial tubes, parasites affecting, description and treatment 540 

bleeding from, description and treatment 98 

parasites affecting, note 537 

Luxations of bones, description and treatment 288 

Lymphatics — 

description 73 

heart, and blood vessels, diseases, chapter by W. H. Harbaugh 71-85 

Malignant — 

catarrh, description, symptoms, and treatment 474-477 

edema, description, symptoms, and treatment 478-480 

pustule, description 464 

tumors, description 318 

Mammitis — 

contagious, description, prevention, and treatment 241 

simple, description, symptoms, and treatment 238 

Mange — • 

common, description and treatment 526 

demodectic, description and treatment 528 

itch, scab, mites, description and treatment 526 

psoroptic, description and treatment 526 

Margaropus annulatus, Texas fever tick 486 

Measly beef, description and prevention 539 

Medicines, methods of administration, chapter by Leonard Pearson 9-13 

Membrana nictitans of eye, description 355 

Meninges, number and functions 103 

Mercury poisoning, symptoms and treatment 60 

Metacarpus, fracture, description and treatment 287 

Metatarsus, fracture, description and treatment 287 

Metritis, causes, symptoms and treatment 226 

Metroperitonitis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 226 

Micrococcus prodigiosus, cause of bloody milk 246 

Microorganisms, transmission 373 

Milk- 
absence, cause and treatment 245 

bloody and blue, cause and treatment 246 

duct, closure and thickening of mucous membrane, cause and treatment.. 248 

duct, closure by membrane, description and treatment 240 

effect of different feeds, analyses 261-262 

fever, description, symptoms, and treatment 228-237 

fistula, description and treatment 249 

stringy, cause and treatment 246 

Mineral — 

acid poisoning, description and treatment 61 

poisons, description and kinds 57 

Misplacement of heart, description 81 



564 INDEX. 

iPage. 
Mites — 

description 526 

mange, itch, scab, description and treatment 527 

Mohler, John R.— 

chapter on "Mycotic stomatitis of cattle" 542-547 

chapter on "Tumors affecting cattle " 315-331 

Monstrosities in the calf, descriptions, causes, and treatment 184-186 

Moor-ill, description, symptoms, and treatment 119 

Morphia and opium poisoning, description and treatment 64 

Mouth — 

diseases affecting, symptoms and treatment 16-19 

inflammation of mucous membrane, cause, symptoms, and treatment 19 

ulcers affecting, in young calves. {See Necrotic stomatitis.) 

Mucopurulent discharge from passages, symptoms and treatment 226 

Mucous cysts, description and treatment 331 

Mucous membrane — 

of mouth, inflammation, cause, symptoms, and treatment 19 

thickening and closure of milk duct, cause and treatment 249 

MuUiceps multiceps (bladderworm), parasite of brain 539 

Murray, A. J., chapter on "Diseases of digestive organs" 14-53 

Muscles — 

intercostal, rheumatism affecting, description and treatment 100 

of calf, rigid contraction, cause and treatment 183 

of the eye, description 355 

Mycotic stomatitis — 

character, cause, symptoms, lesions, etc 543 

differential diagnosis and treatment 545 

of cattle, chapter by John R. Mohler 542-547 

prevalence 542 

synonyms .« 542 

Myocarditis, description, symptoms, and treatment 79 

Myoma tumor, description and treatment 321 

Myxoma tumor, description and treatment 326 

Nagana, description, symptoms, and treatment 515 

Nasal catarrh, description, symptoms, and treatment 91 

Navel — 

abscess affecting, causes and treatment 254 

bleeding, cause and treatment • 253 

breach, symptoms and treatment 257 

dropsy, description and treatment 258 

string constricting member of fetus, description 180 

mine discharged through, description and treatment 253 

urine duct, inflammation, cause and treatment 253 

veins, inflammation, description, causes, and treatment 254 

Necrosis — 

and diseases of cartilage of the ear, cause and treatment 369 

of the bony orbit, cause and treatment 365 

Necrotic stomatitis, description, symptoms, and treatment 470-474 

Neoformation and neoplasm. (See Tumors.) 

Nephritis, description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 123 

Nerves, description 101-103 

Nervousness cause of retarding calving 180 

Nervous system, diseases, chapter by W. H. Harbaugh 101-112 

Nettle rash, description, causes, and treatment. 336 



INDEX. 565 

Page. 

Neurofibroma tumor, description and treatment 321 

Nodular disease of intestines due to hook worms, note 536 

Noncontagious— 

abortion, causes 165 

abortion, treatment 172 

diseases of organs of respiration, chapter by "William H. Lowe 86-100 

foot-and-mouth disease, reference 542 

Nose bleeding, cause and treatment 92 

Nymphomania in female, cause and treatment 148 

Obstruction — 

of arteries, description and treatment 83 

of bowels, resulting from invagination, causes, symptoms, etc 37 

to parturition by full bladder or rectum 180 

to parturition by masses of fat, cause 180 

CEsophagostoina radiatum, parasite causing nodular disease, treatment 536 

O'idium albicans, parasite causing aphtha, or thrush 268 

Operations — 

asepsis, importance of : 295 

surgical, chapter by William Dickson 295-314 

surgical, manner of securing the animals 295 

uses of anesthesia 295 

Ophthalmia — 

simple, causes, symptoms, and treatment 356 

specific, symptoms, treatment, and prevention 357 

Opium and morphia poisoning, description and treatment 64 

Orbit- 
bony, necrosis affecting, cause and treatment 365 

fracture, cause and treatment 364 

tumors, cause and treatment 365 

Orbital- 

and periorl)ital abscess, symptoms and treatment 364 

cavity of the eye, description 354 

Orchitis, description and treatment 152 

Omithodoros megnini, ear tick of cattle 529 

Osteitis, description and treatment 270 

Osteoma, description and treatment 326 

Osteomalacia, description, symptoms, and treatment 273 

Osteomyelitis, description and treatment 272 

Ostertagia ostertagi, encysted stomach worm of cattle 534 

Otitis, symptoms and treatment 367 

Ovariotomy, description of the operation 312 

Ovum, inclosed, description and treatment 183 

Ox warbles and grubs, treatment 524 

Pains, labor, before relaxation of passages 177 

Palpitation of heart, description 76 

Palsy — 

following calving, description and treatment ^ 237 

of neck of bladder, cause and treatment 130 

Papillary growths and warts on the penis, treatment 156 

Papilloma, description and treatment 324 

Paralysis — 

description 109 

of bladder, causes and treatment 130 



566 INDEX. 

Page. 
Paralysis — Con tinued . 

of hind parts during pregnancy, cause and treatment 163 

of rear parts of body, cause 109 

Paramphistomum cervi, parasite affecting cattle 530 

Paraplegia, symptoms and treatment 110 

Parasites — 

animal, of cattle, chapter by B. H. Ransom 518-541 

of bronchial tubes, description and treatment 540 

of blood, kinds 541 

of ear, kinds and treatment 529 

of eye, kinds and treatment 541 

of intestinal tract, kinds and treatment 534 

of kidney, discussion 127 

of lung, kinds 540 

of stomach, kinds and treatment 529 

Parasitic cysts, description 329 

Parasitic diseases of the skin, description and treatment 344 

Parotid gland, inflammation, cause, symptoms, and treatment 20 

Parotitis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 20 

Parturient — 

apoplexy, description, symptoms, and treatment 228 

collapse, description, symptoms, and treatment 228 

fever, description, symptoms, and treatment 228 

Parturition — 

difficult, suggestions for assisting 176 

diseases following, chapter by James Law 216-251 

obstacles, causes 175 

Pastures, how to free from ticks 496 

Paunch, distention with food, description and treatment 27 

Pearson, Leonard, chapter on "Administration of medicines" 9-13 

Pelvis — 

fracture, description and treatment 285 

narrow, fracture, cause of difficult parturition 179 

Pemphigus, symptoms and treatment 340 

Penis — 

and sheath, inflammation from bruising, prevention and treatment 155 

ulcers affectiag, cause and treatment 157 

warts and papillary growths, treatment 156 

wounds, cause and treatment 156 

Percussion method of examination 91 

Pericarditis, symptoms and treatment 77 

Periorbital and orbital abscess, symptoms and treatment 364 

Periostitis, aseptic, purulent, and fibrous, description and treatment 270 

Peritoneal hernia, description, causes, symptoms, and treatment 43 

Peritoneum, diseases affecting, causes, symptoms, and treatment 48-50 

Peritonitis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 48 

Persistent urachus, description and treatment 253 

Pharyngeal polypi, description and treatment 21 

PharjTigitis, symptoms, causes, and treatment 19 

Pharynx — 

and gullet, diseases, description, symptoms, and treatment 19-24 

tumors affecting, description and treatment 21 

Phlebitis- 
description and treatment 84 

umbilical, description, symptoms, and treatment 254 



INDEX. 567 

Page. 

Phosphorus poisoning, symptoms and treatment 60 

Pica, description, causes, and treatment 30 

Pink eye. (See Ophthalmia.) 

Piroplasma bigeminuvi, protozoan causing Texas fever 541 

Pityriasis, causes, symptoms, and treatment 341 

Plants, poisonous, description of poisoning 67-68 

Pleurisy, description, symptoms, and treatment 94 

PleurodjTiia, description and treatment 100 

Pleuropneumonia — ■ 

cause, incubation, and symptoms 382 

definition and history 379 

post-mortem appearance 385 

prevention and treatment 388 

Pneumonia, description, symptoms, and treatment 96 

Pneumothorax, description and treatment 99 

Poison, definition 54 

Poisoning — • 

aconite, description and treatment 65 

and poisons, chapter by V. T. Atkinson 54-70 

by acids, description and treatment 61 

by alkalies, description and treatment 62 

by animal products, description and treatment 69 

by arsenic, description, symptoms, and treatment 57 

by carbolic acid, description and treatment 63 

by coal oil, description and treatment 62 

by copper, description and treatment 59 

by insects on forage, description 70 

by laurel, description and treatment 67 

by lead, description, symptoms, and treatment 58 

by loco weed, description and treatment 66 

by mercury, description, symptoms, and treatment 60 

by phosphorus, symptoms and treatment 60 

by poisonous fungi, description 69 

by poisonous plants, description 67 

by salt and saltpeter, description, symptoms, and treatment 63-64 

by strychnin, description and treatment 65 

general symptoms and treatment 56 

sources 54 

Poisonous — 

fungi, description 69 

plants, description 66-68 

Poisons — 

and poisoning, chapter by V. T. Atkinson 54-70 

description of action 55 

dietetic, description 66 

miueral, descriptions 57-60 

vegetable, uses as medicine 64-69 

Polydesmus excitans, effect on cattle 15 

Polypi- 
description and treatment 325 

of the vagiaa or uterus, description and treatment 157 

pharyngeal, description and treatment 21 

Polytrincium trifolii, effect on cattle 15 



568 INDEX. 

Page. 

Polyuria, causes and treatment 118 

Pork and beef measles, note 540 

Poverty jaw and scours, caused by twisted wireworm, treatment 530 

Pregnancy — 

cramps of hind limbs during, cause 162 

duration 160 

signs 157 

Pregnant cow, hygiene 160 

Prepuce, calculi affecting, treatment 144 

Presentation of fetus, natural 175 

Pricks and wounds of the hoof, treatment 350 

Probang, use in prevention of choking 23 

Prolapsus vaginae, description and treatment 161 

Proliferation cysts, description and treatment 331 

Prostration from heat, symptoms and treatment 108 

Protrusion of the vagina, description and treatment 161 

Protozoa — 

as intestinal parasites, note 536 

definition 372 

Pruritis, causes and treatment 334 

Pseudoplasm. {See Tumors.) 

Psoroptic mange, description and treatment 527 

Pucinnia arundinacea, P. coronata, P. graminis, P. straminis, effect on cattle.. 14 

Pulmonary congestion, treatment 98 

Pulse — 

description 74 

examination 89 

Puncta lacrimalia of the eye, description 356 

Purulent periostitis, description and treatment 271 

Pustule — 

description, causes, and treatment 339 

malignant, in man, description 464 

Pterygium, description and treatment 362 

Pyemia and septicemia, causes, symptoms, and treatment 403 

Pyemic and septicemic inflammation of joints in calves, description, symptoms, 

and treatment 256 

Quarter-ill. {See Blackleg.) 

Rabies of cattle, description, symptoms, etc 410-414 

Rachitis. (See Rickets.) 

Ransom, B. H., chapter on "Animal parasites of cattle " 518-541 

Rauschbrand. {See Blackleg.) 

Rectal injections, uses and methods 11 

Rectum — 

method of administering medicines 11 

or bladder, full, obstruction to parturition 180 

Red dysentery, note 536 

Red water, description, symptoms, and treatment 119 

Renal calculi, description and treatment 139 

Regulations, sanitary, for controlling Texas fever 511 

Rennet, hernia affecting, description and treatment 40 

Respiration — 

how to examine 88 

organs, noncontagious diseases affecting, chapter by William H. Lowe 86-100 

organs, methods of diagnosis 86 

Retina of the eye, description 354 



INDEX. 669 

Rheumatism — 

articular and muscular, symptoms, prevention, and treatment 292,293 

of intercostal muscles, description and treatment 101 

Ribs, fracture, cause and treatment 287 

Rickets — 

description and treatment 272 

in young calves, description and treatment 268 

Rinderpest, description, cause, symptoms, etc 392-395 

Ringing the bull, method 297 

Ringworm, description, symptoms, and treatment ^ . 344 

Roundworms — 

description 535 

of eye, treatment 541 

of intestine, kinds and treatment 535 

of stomach, description 530 

Rumen — 

distention with food, description and treatment 27 

hernia, description and cause 39 

puncturing, description 303 

Rumenotomy , description 303 

Rupture — 

of bladder, symptoms 221 

of heart, description 80 

of womb, cause and treatment 221 

Ruptirres — 

and lacerations of the vagina, description and treatment 222 

description and cause 39 

Saccharoviyces albicans, parasite of aphtha, or thrush 268 

Salivation, cause, symptoms, and treatment 17 

Salmon, D. E., and Theobald Smith, chapter on "Infectious diseases of 

cattle " 371-517 

Salt, common, poisoning, description, symptoms, and treatment 64 

Saltpeter poisoning, description, symptoms, and treatment 63 

Sarcoma tumor, description and treatment , 327 

Satyriasis in male, cause and treatment 148 

Scab, mange, itch, description of kinds and treatment 526 

Scabby teats, treatment 247 

Scalds and burns, causes and treatment 345 

Schistosoma bovis, cause of bloody urine 541 

Scleroderma, description 342 

Sclerotic membrane of eye, description 353 

Scouring — 

acute contagious, in newborn calves, description, prevention, and treat- 
ment 266 

causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment 259-268 

Scours — 

and poverty jaw, caused by twisted wireworm, treatment 530 

causes, symptoms, and treatment 34 

Screwworms affecting animals, description and remedy 521 

Scurf, causes, symptoms, and treatment 341 

Scurfy ears, cause and treatrnent 368 

Sebaceous — 

and dermoid cysts, description and treatment 342 

glands, location 333 

Seborrhea, causes, symptoms, and treatment 341 



570 INDEX. 

Septicemia — Page. 

and pyemia, causes, symptoms, and treatment 403 

gangrenous, description, symptoms, and treatment 478 

hemorrhagic, causes, symptoms, etc 405-408 

Septicemic and pyemic inflammation of joints in calves, description, symp- 
toms, and treatment 256 

Serous cysts, description and treatment 330 

Setoning, description and use 301 

Sheath— 

and penis, inflammation from bruising, prevention and treatment 153 

calculi affecting, treatment 144 

inflammation, causes and treatment 153 

Shoulder joini;, sprain, causes and treatment 274 

Skeleton, number of bones 269 

Skin — 

description 332 

diseases, chapter by M. R. Trumbower 332-346 

gas or air under, symptoms and treatment 346* 

glands, location and use 333 

inflammatory diseases, causes and treatment 335 

parasites affecting, description and treatment 522-528 

secretions and growths, description, causes, and treatment 341-344 

wounds, kinds, description, and treatment 345-346 

Skull, fracture, description and treatment 284 

Slinking the calf, description 165 

Smith, Theobald, and D. E. Salmon, chapter on "Infectious diseases of 

cattle " 371-517 

Snake bites — 

and wounds of mouth, symptoms and treatment 16 

description, symptoms, and treatment 69 

Sore — 

mouth of cattle, reference 542 

throat, cause and treatment 19, 92 

tongue, reference 542 

Soreness of the foot, description and treatment 347 

Southern cattle fever. (See Texas fever.) 

Spanish -fly poisoning, description and treatment 70 

Spasm of the neck of the bladder, description and treatment 128 

Spavin, description and treatment 290 

Spaying, description of operation 312 

Spinal — 

column, fracture, description and treatment 284 

cord, description 102 

cord, congestion, description, symptoms, and treatment 110 

cord, injuries, description 109 

Spleen — 

and liver, diseases, causes, symptoms, and treatment 46-47 

inflammation, description 47 

Splenetic fever. (See Texas fever.) 

Splenitis, description 47 

Split hoof, description and treatment 350 

Sporadic — 

aphthae, reference '. . 542 

stomatitis aphthosa, reference 542 



INDEX. 571 

Sprain — Pa^e. 

of fetlock, causes and treatment 275 

of hip, cause and treatment 276 

of shoulder joint, causes and treatment 274 

Sprains, description and treatment 274 

Squinting, description 361 

Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans), affecting cattle 519 

Staggers, causes, symptoms, and treatment 103, 539 

Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus and 5. pyogenes citreus, bacteria of abscess 242 

Staphyloma, description, symptoms, and treatment i 360 

Sterilty, causes 151 

Stings — 

of wasps and bees, description and treatment 70 

venomous. {See Snake bites.) 
Stomach — 

diseases affecting, causes, symptoms, and treatment 24-36 

foiu-th, affected with hernia, description and treatment 40 

hair balls in 31 

parasites affecting, treatment 529-534 

roundworms affecting 530 

traumatic mflammation, cause, symptoms, and treatment 36 

worm, encysted, description and treatment 534 

worms, different kinds affecting cattle 530 

Stomatitis — 

cause, symptoms, and treatment 19 

mycotic. {See Mycotic stomatitis.) 

necrotic, description, symptoms, treatment, etc 470-474 

Stomoxys calcitrans affecting cattle 519 

Stone — 

effect of different feeds 132-133 

in bladder, symptoms and treatment 142 

in kidney, description and treatment 139 

in bladder, obstruction to parturition 180 

or gravel, description and causes 130 

Strabismus, description 361 

Streptococcus pyogenes, bacteria of abscess 241 

String, navel, constricting member of fetus, description ^ 180 

Stringy milk, cause and treatment 246 

Strongylus micrurus, parasite of verminous bronchitis 99 

Struma, cause, description, symptoms, and treatment 322 

Strychnin poisoning, description and treatment 65 

Sudorific glands, location and use 333 

Sugar in urine, description 123 

Sunstroke, symptoms and treatment 108 

Suppression of milk, cause and treatment 245 

Siu-feit, description, causes, and treatment 336 

Surgery, discussion 295 

Siu:gical operations — 

asepsis, importance 295 

chapter by William Dickson and William H. Lowe 295-314 

manner of securmg the animals during 296 

uses of anesthesia 295 

Sweat glands, location and use 333 

Swelling of calf with gas, cause and treatment 182 



572 INDEX. 

Page. 

Symptomatic anthrax. {See Blackleg.) 

Tail, wolf in, imaginary disease 28 

Tapeworms^ 

adult, of small intestine, species and remedy 534 

cysts in muscles of cattle 539 

cysts of liver 538 

Tarsus, fracture, description and treatment 287 

Teat- 
blocked by warty and other growth inside, description and treatment 248 

opening in the side, description and treatment 249 

Teats- 
blocked by calculus, treatment 248 

blocked by concretion of casein, cause and treatment 247 

chapped, cause and treatment 247 

sctibby, treatment 247 

warts affecting, treatment 247 

Teeth- 
caries, description 18 

irregularities, cause and treatment 18 

Temperature, how to examine 89 

Test, tuberculin. (See Tuberculin test.) 

Testicles, congestion and inflammation, description and treatment 152 

Tetanus, reference 412 

Texas fever — 

description,, symptoms, prevention, etc 480-513 

immunization of northern cattle 507 

infection carried by the cattle tick ( Margaropus annulatus) 486 

injurious effects of ticks 488 

loss occasioned by cattle ticks 489 

methods of eradication 493-507 

nature of the disease 481 

period of incubation of ticks 492 

prevention 493 

quarantine regulations 511 

symptoms and pathological changes after death 483-485 

tick eradication, plan of .work 512 

Threadworms in abdominal cavity of cattle 540 

Throat, sore, symptoms, causes, and treatment 19 

Thrombosis, description and symptoms 83 

Thrush— 

in young calves, description and treatment 268 

parasite (Saccharomyces albicans), cause 268 

Ticks — {See also Cattle tick and Texas fever.) 

affecting the ear 529 

as parasites of cattle, note 529 

cattle, time required to kill 494 

Tilletia caries in wheat, effect on cattle 15 

Tinea — 

favosa, description, symptoms, and treatment 344 

tonsurans, description, symptoms, and treatment 344 

Tracheotomy, description 302 

Traumatic inflamation of the stomach, cause, symptoms, and treatment 36 

Trichiasis, treatment 362 



INDEX. 573 

Page. 

Trichodectes scalaris (red louse), description and treatment 525 

Trichoplyton tonsurans, fungus causing Tinea tonsurans 344 

Trumbower, M. R. — 

chapter on ' ' Diseases of the ear " 367-370 

chapter on ' ' Diseases of the eye and its appendages " 352-366 

chapter on ' ' Diseases of the foot " 347-351 

chapter on ' ' Diseases of the skin " 332-346 

Trypanosoma brucei, cause of nagana, or teetse-fly disease 515 

Tsetse-fly disease, description, symptoms, and treatment 515 

Tuberculin test — 

description and history 425 

harmless to healthy animals 432 

summary of directions for making 433 

Tuberculosis — 

bovine and public health 436 

cause and nature of disease 418 

occurrence 414 

statistics of tests in United States 417 

symptoms and diagnosis 423^24 

transmissibility of human and bovine 438 

treatment 434 

Tumor — 

bony, description and treatment 326 

chrondroma, description and treatment 326 

fibroma, description and treatment 323 

hairy, on eyeball, description and treatment 361 

lipoma, description and treatment 326 

malignant and benign, description 318 

sarcoma, description and treatment 327 

Tumors — 

affecting cattle, chapter by John R. Mohler 315-331 

and cysts, description 319 

classification 317 

description 315 

description of kinds 321 

diagnosis 320 

definition and description 315 

general treatment 320 

of calf, description and treatment 183 

of eyelids, description and treatment 363 

of kidney, description 128 

of orbit, cause and treatment 365 

of pharjTix, description and treatment 21 

on the brain, description 112 

Turpentine poisoning, symptoms and treatment 66 

Twisted stomach worms, description and treatment 530-531 

Twisting — 

and knotting of the bowels, causes, symptoms, post-mortem appearance, 

and treatment 37 

of the neck of the womb, description and treatment 178 

Tympanites — 

acute, causes, symptoms, and treatment 24 

chronic, causes and treatment 26 



574 INDEX. 



Udder- 
congestion, description and treatment 238 

contagious inflamation affecting, description, prevention, and treatment. . 241 

inflammation, description, symptoms, and treatment 238 

Ulceration of the heel, causes and treatment 349 

Ulcerative stomatitis. {See Necrotic stomatitis.) 

Ulcers — 

in mouths of young calves. {See Necrotic stomatitis.) 

of cornea, cause, symptoms, and treatment 359 

on penis, cause and treatment 157 

Umbilical — 

hernia, description, causes, and treatment 42 

hernia, symptoms and treatment 257 

phlebitis, description, causes, and treatment 254 

Urachus — 

inflammation, causes and treatment 253 

persistent, description and treatment 253 

Ureteral calculi, description and treatment 139 

Urethra, inflammation affecting, description and treatment 156 

Urethral calculus, symptoms and treatment 142 

Urinary — 

calculi, causes 136 

calculi, classification 137 

calculi, description and causes 130 

calculi, effect of different feeds 133 

disorders, symptoms 118 

organs, diseases, chapter by James Law 113-146 

organs, functions 113 

Urine — 

albumin in, description and treatment 121 

amount passed daily 115 

analyses under different rations 114 

bloody, caused by blood flukes 541 

bloody, description, symptoms, and treatment 119 

discharged through navel, description and treatment 253 

excessive secretion, cause and treatment 118 

incontinence, cause and treatment 130 

of cow, analysis 114 

of ox, analysis 115 

retention, effect, cause, and treatment 128 

sugar in, description 123 

Uterus — 

hernia affecting, cause and treatment 162 

polypus affecting, description and treatment 157 

Urticaria, description, causes and treatment 336 

Vaccine, blackleg, free distribution, note 469 

Vagina — 

clots of blood on walls, description and treatment 222 

inflammation, causes and treatment 225 

lacerations and rupture, description and treatment 222 

polypus affecting, description and treatment 157 

protrusion, description and treatment 161 

Vaginse prolapsus, description and treatment 161 



INDEX. 575 

Page. 

Vaginal walla, affected with coagulated blood after calving, treatment 180 

Vaginitis, causes and treatment 225 

Valves of heart, diseases affecting, symptoms and treatment 80 

Variola, description, sjonptoms, and treatment 445 

Vegetable — 

acids, poisonous, description and treatment 61 

poisons, uses as medicine, description, symptoms, and treatment 64-69 

poisons, note 64 

Veins — 

and arteries, wounds, description and treatment 81 

inflammation, description and treatment 84 

Venereal desire — 

diminution or loss, cause, prevention, and treatment 149 

excess, cause and treatment 148 

Venomous stings. {See Snake bites.) 

Ventral hernia, description and causes 39 

Verminous bronchitis — 

description, symptoms, and prevention 99 

parasites causing 540 

Verruca — 

acuminata and verruca vulgaris, description 343 

description, cause, and treatment 343 

Vertebra, fracture, description and treatment 284 

Vesical calculus, symptoms and treatment 142 

Vesicular — 

eruption of genital organs, description, symptoms, and treatment 408 

exanthema, symptoms and treatment 408 

Vitreous humor of the eye, description 354 

Vomiting, symptoms, cause, and treatment 29 

Wall of hoof, fissure, description and treatment 350 

Warbles — 

description and treatment 522 

reference 344 

Warts — 

and papillary growths on the penis, treatment 157 

description and treatment : 324 

description, causes, and treatment 343 

on the teats, treatment 247 

Wasp and bee stings, description and treatment 70 

Water — 

blisters, symptoms and treatment 340 

cold, drinking, a cause of indigestion, symptoms and treatment 33 

in the head of calf, description and treatment 181 

Wens, description and treatment 342 

Withers, casting, cause and treatment 217 

Wolf in the tail, imaginary disease 29 

Womb — 

and abdomen, inflammation, causes, symptoms, and treatment 226 

bleeding from, description, symptoms, and treatment 216 

dropsy, description and treatment 162 

eversion, cause and treatment 217 

fetus developing outside, description and treatment 163 

inflammation, causes, symptoms, and treatment 227 



576 INDEX. /' 

Womb — Continued. Page. 

mouth, induration, description and treatment 177 

rupture, cause and treatment 221 

twisting of neck, description and treatment 178 

Wooden tongue. {See Actinomycosis.) 

Wood-ill, description, symptoms, and treatment 119 

Worm — 

encysted stomach, description and treatment 534 

in the eye, description and treatment 361 

Worms — 

bladder, description 539 

lung, of cattle, description and treatment 540 

screw, description and remedies 521 

thread, in abdominal cavity of cattle 540 

twisted stomach, description and treatment 530-531 

Wounds — 

and injuries of the gullet, description and treatment 24 

and pricks of the hoof, treatment 350 

contused and lacerated, description and treatment 308 

contusions of the lips, and snake bites of mouth, description and treatment. 16 

healing, treatment and dressing, description 308 

incised, description and treatment 305 

incised, punctured, and lacerated, description and treatment 305-308 

of abdomen, causes, symptoms, and treatment 45 

of arteries and veins, description and treatment 81 

of mouth, snake bites and contusions of lips, treatment 16 

of penis, cause and treatment 156 

of skin, kinds, description, and treatment 345-346 

Yellows, description, symptoms, and treatment 46 

Zinc poisoning, description and treatment 60 

o 



LB N '12 



